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Mazzotta C, Ingelfinger JR, Grabowski EF. Shiga toxin down-regulates ERG protein in endothelial cells and impairs angiogenesis. Thromb Res 2024; 240:109038. [PMID: 38850807 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2024.109038] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Shiga toxin (Stx) can activate inflammatory signaling, leading to vascular dysfunction and promotion of a pro-thrombotic tissue microenvironment. Stx can trigger the development of the enterohemorrhagic (childhood) hemolytic uremic syndrome (eHUS), a triad of thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and acute kidney injury, often requiring dialysis. Additional features may include damage to other organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, brain and cardiovascular system; death occurs in 2-5 %. eHUS is a thrombotic microangiopathy; thus, endothelial cell (EC) injury and platelet fibrin thrombus formation in glomerular arterioles and in the arterioles of other affected organs are likely. To elucidate mechanisms of this microangiopathy, we examined in human ECs the regulation of the platelet adhesion proteins P-selectin and von Willebrand factor (VWF), along with the downregulation of erythroblast-transformation-specific transcription factor (ERG) a key regulator of angiogenesis and megakaryocyte development. METHODS VWF, P-selectin, and ERG levels were determined using immunofluorescence and Western blot in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs were treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Stx-1 or both, versus normal controls. Capillary morphogenesis on Matrigel was performed using HUVECs treated, for 22 h with TNF-α, Stx-1, or both, or treated 4 h with Stx-1 alone or in combination with TNF-α for 22 h. RESULTS Stx-1 significantly reduced ERG and VWF expression on HUVECs, but upregulated P-selectin expression. ERG levels decreased with Stx-1 alone or in combination with TNF-α, in the nuclear, perinuclear and cytoplasmatic regions. Stx-1 reduced capillary morphogenesis, while Stx-1-TNF-α combined treatment reduced capillary morphogenesis still further. CONCLUSIONS In the presence of Stx-1 or TNF-α or both treatments, ECs were activated, expressing higher levels of P-selectin and lower levels of VWF. Our findings, further, provide evidence that Stx-1 downregulates ERG, repressing angiogenesis in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celestina Mazzotta
- Cardiovascular Thrombosis Laboratory, Hematology/Oncology Division, Department of Pediatrics, *Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Julie R Ingelfinger
- Nephology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Eric F Grabowski
- Cardiovascular Thrombosis Laboratory, Hematology/Oncology Division, Department of Pediatrics, *Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, United States.
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Vellingiri V, Balaji Ragunathrao VA, Joshi JC, Akhter MZ, Anwar M, Banerjee S, Dudek S, Tsukasaki Y, Pinho S, Mehta D. Endothelial ERG programs neutrophil transcriptome for sustained anti-inflammatory vascular niche. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.02.591799. [PMID: 38746216 PMCID: PMC11092576 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.02.591799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Neutrophils (PMNs) reside as a marginated pool within the vasculature, ready for deployment during infection. However, how endothelial cells (ECs) control PMN extravasation and activation to strengthen tissue homeostasis remains ill-defined. Here, we found that the vascular ETS-related gene (ERG) is a generalized mechanism regulating PMN activity in preclinical tissue injury models and human patients. We show that ERG loss in ECs rewired PMN-transcriptome, enriched for genes associated with the CXCR2-CXCR4 signaling. Rewired PMNs compromise mice survival after pneumonia and induced lung vascular inflammatory injury following adoptive transfer into naïve mice, indicating their longevity and inflammatory activity memory. Mechanistically, EC-ERG restricted PMN extravasation and activation by upregulating the deubiquitinase A20 and downregulating the NFκB-IL8 cascade. Rescuing A20 in EC-Erg -/- endothelium or suppressing PMN-CXCR2 signaling rescued EC control of PMN activation. Findings deepen our understanding of EC control of PMN-mediated inflammation, offering potential avenues for targeting various inflammatory diseases. Highlights ERG regulates trans-endothelial neutrophil (PMN) extravasation, retention, and activationLoss of endothelial (EC) ERG rewires PMN-transcriptomeAdopted transfer of rewired PMNs causes inflammation in a naïve mouse ERG transcribes A20 and suppresses CXCR2 function to inactivate PMNs. In brief/blurb The authors investigated how vascular endothelial cells (EC) control polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) extravasation, retention, and activation to strengthen tissue homeostasis. They showed that EC-ERG controls PMN transcriptome into an anti-adhesive and anti-inflammatory lineage by synthesizing A20 and suppressing PMNs-CXCR2 signaling, defining EC-ERG as a target for preventing neutrophilic inflammatory injury.
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Adelus ML, Ding J, Tran BT, Conklin AC, Golebiewski AK, Stolze LK, Whalen MB, Cusanovich DA, Romanoski CE. Single-cell 'omic profiles of human aortic endothelial cells in vitro and human atherosclerotic lesions ex vivo reveal heterogeneity of endothelial subtype and response to activating perturbations. eLife 2024; 12:RP91729. [PMID: 38578680 PMCID: PMC10997331 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91729] [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] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneity in endothelial cell (EC) sub-phenotypes is becoming increasingly appreciated in atherosclerosis progression. Still, studies quantifying EC heterogeneity across whole transcriptomes and epigenomes in both in vitro and in vivo models are lacking. Multiomic profiling concurrently measuring transcriptomes and accessible chromatin in the same single cells was performed on six distinct primary cultures of human aortic ECs (HAECs) exposed to activating environments characteristic of the atherosclerotic microenvironment in vitro. Meta-analysis of single-cell transcriptomes across 17 human ex vivo arterial specimens was performed and two computational approaches quantitatively evaluated the similarity in molecular profiles between heterogeneous in vitro and ex vivo cell profiles. HAEC cultures were reproducibly populated by four major clusters with distinct pathway enrichment profiles and modest heterogeneous responses: EC1-angiogenic, EC2-proliferative, EC3-activated/mesenchymal-like, and EC4-mesenchymal. Quantitative comparisons between in vitro and ex vivo transcriptomes confirmed EC1 and EC2 as most canonically EC-like, and EC4 as most mesenchymal with minimal effects elicited by siERG and IL1B. Lastly, accessible chromatin regions unique to EC2 and EC4 were most enriched for coronary artery disease (CAD)-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms from Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS), suggesting that these cell phenotypes harbor CAD-modulating mechanisms. Primary EC cultures contain markedly heterogeneous cell subtypes defined by their molecular profiles. Surprisingly, the perturbations used here only modestly shifted cells between subpopulations, suggesting relatively stable molecular phenotypes in culture. Identifying consistently heterogeneous EC subpopulations between in vitro and ex vivo models should pave the way for improving in vitro systems while enabling the mechanisms governing heterogeneous cell state decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Adelus
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
- The Clinical Translational Sciences Graduate Program, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Jiacheng Ding
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Binh T Tran
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Austin C Conklin
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Anna K Golebiewski
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Lindsey K Stolze
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Michael B Whalen
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Darren A Cusanovich
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Casey E Romanoski
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
- The Clinical Translational Sciences Graduate Program, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
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Adelus ML, Ding J, Tran BT, Conklin AC, Golebiewski AK, Stolze LK, Whalen MB, Cusanovich DA, Romanoski CE. Single cell 'omic profiles of human aortic endothelial cells in vitro and human atherosclerotic lesions ex vivo reveals heterogeneity of endothelial subtype and response to activating perturbations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.04.03.535495. [PMID: 37066416 PMCID: PMC10104082 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.03.535495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Objective Endothelial cells (ECs), macrophages, and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are major cell types in atherosclerosis progression, and heterogeneity in EC sub-phenotypes are becoming increasingly appreciated. Still, studies quantifying EC heterogeneity across whole transcriptomes and epigenomes in both in vitro and in vivo models are lacking. Approach and Results To create an in vitro dataset to study human EC heterogeneity, multiomic profiling concurrently measuring transcriptomes and accessible chromatin in the same single cells was performed on six distinct primary cultures of human aortic ECs (HAECs). To model pro-inflammatory and activating environments characteristic of the atherosclerotic microenvironment in vitro, HAECs from at least three donors were exposed to three distinct perturbations with their respective controls: transforming growth factor beta-2 (TGFB2), interleukin-1 beta (IL1B), and siRNA-mediated knock-down of the endothelial transcription factor ERG (siERG). To form a comprehensive in vivo/ex vivo dataset of human atherosclerotic cell types, meta-analysis of single cell transcriptomes across 17 human arterial specimens was performed. Two computational approaches quantitatively evaluated the similarity in molecular profiles between heterogeneous in vitro and in vivo cell profiles. HAEC cultures were reproducibly populated by 4 major clusters with distinct pathway enrichment profiles: EC1-angiogenic, EC2-proliferative, EC3-activated/mesenchymal-like, and EC4-mesenchymal. Exposure to siERG, IL1B or TGFB2 elicited mostly distinct transcriptional and accessible chromatin responses. EC1 and EC2, the most canonically 'healthy' EC populations, were affected predominantly by siERG; the activated cluster EC3 was most responsive to IL1B; and the mesenchymal population EC4 was most affected by TGFB2. Quantitative comparisons between in vitro and in vivo transcriptomes confirmed EC1 and EC2 as most canonically EC-like, and EC4 as most mesenchymal with minimal effects elicited by siERG and IL1B. Lastly, accessible chromatin regions unique to EC2 and EC4 were most enriched for coronary artery disease (CAD)-associated SNPs from GWAS, suggesting these cell phenotypes harbor CAD-modulating mechanisms. Conclusion Primary EC cultures contain markedly heterogeneous cell subtypes defined by their molecular profiles. Surprisingly, the perturbations used here, which have been reported by others to be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis as well as induce endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), only modestly shifted cells between subpopulations, suggesting relatively stable molecular phenotypes in culture. Identifying consistently heterogeneous EC subpopulations between in vitro and in vivo models should pave the way for improving in vitro systems while enabling the mechanisms governing heterogeneous cell state decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L. Adelus
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- The Clinical Translational Sciences Graduate Program, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Jiacheng Ding
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Binh T. Tran
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Austin C. Conklin
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Anna K. Golebiewski
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Lindsey K. Stolze
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Michael B. Whalen
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Darren A. Cusanovich
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Casey E. Romanoski
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- The Clinical Translational Sciences Graduate Program, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
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Liu Y, Han B, Zheng W, Peng P, Yang C, Jiang G, Ma Y, Li J, Ni J, Sun D. Identification of genetic associations and functional SNPs of bovine KLF6 gene on milk production traits in Chinese holstein. BMC Genom Data 2023; 24:72. [PMID: 38017423 PMCID: PMC10685595 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-023-01175-w] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our previous research identified the Kruppel like factor 6 (KLF6) gene as a prospective candidate for milk production traits in dairy cattle. The expression of KLF6 in the livers of Holstein cows during the peak of lactation was significantly higher than that during the dry and early lactation periods. Notably, it plays an essential role in activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) signaling pathways. The primary aim of this study was to further substantiate whether the KLF6 gene has significant genetic effects on milk traits in dairy cattle. RESULTS Through direct sequencing of PCR products with pooled DNA, we totally identified 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the KLF6 gene. The set of SNPs encompasses 7 located in 5' flanking region, 2 located in exon 2 and 3 located in 3' untranslated region (UTR). Of these, the g.44601035G > A is a missense mutation that resulting in the replacement of arginine (CGG) with glutamine (CAG), consequently leading to alterations in the secondary structure of the KLF6 protein, as predicted by SOPMA. The remaining 7 regulatory SNPs significantly impacted the transcriptional activity of KLF6 following mutation (P < 0.005), manifesting as changes in transcription factor binding sites. Additionally, 4 SNPs located in both the UTR and exons were predicted to influence the secondary structure of KLF6 mRNA using the RNAfold web server. Furthermore, we performed the genotype-phenotype association analysis using SAS 9.2 which found all the 12 SNPs were significantly correlated to milk yield, fat yield, fat percentage, protein yield and protein percentage within both the first and second lactations (P < 0.0001 ~ 0.0441). Also, with Haploview 4.2 software, we found the 12 SNPs linked closely and formed a haplotype block, which was strongly associated with five milk traits (P < 0.0001 ~ 0.0203). CONCLUSIONS In summary, our study represented the KLF6 gene has significant impacts on milk yield and composition traits in dairy cattle. Among the identified SNPs, 7 were implicated in modulating milk traits by impacting transcriptional activity, 4 by altering mRNA secondary structure, and 1 by affecting the protein secondary structure of KLF6. These findings provided valuable molecular insights for genomic selection program of dairy cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Bo Han
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Weijie Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Peng Peng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Chendong Yang
- Hebei Province Animal Husbandry and Fine Breeds Work Station, No. 7 Xuefu Road, Changan District, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Guie Jiang
- Hebei Province Animal Husbandry and Fine Breeds Work Station, No. 7 Xuefu Road, Changan District, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Yabin Ma
- Hebei Province Animal Husbandry and Fine Breeds Work Station, No. 7 Xuefu Road, Changan District, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Jianming Li
- Hebei Province Animal Husbandry and Fine Breeds Work Station, No. 7 Xuefu Road, Changan District, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China
| | - Junqing Ni
- Hebei Province Animal Husbandry and Fine Breeds Work Station, No. 7 Xuefu Road, Changan District, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China.
| | - Dongxiao Sun
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Zhang Y, Tao J, Wang R, Xuan H, Chen Z, Xiao L, Ding H, Sun Z. Prognostic value of E‑26 transformation‑specific‑related gene in prostate cancer based on immunohistochemistry analysis. Oncol Lett 2023; 26:296. [PMID: 37274473 PMCID: PMC10236269 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13882] [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: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
E-26 transformation-specific-related gene (ERG) has been implicated in prostate cancer; however, its prognostic role remains unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the association of ERG with the prognosis after radical prostatectomy in patients with prostate cancer. Patient data were collected at the Huadong Hospital, affiliated with Fudan University, between January 2016 and March 2020. ERG protein expression was detected using immunohistochemistry. Independent-sample t-tests and χ2 tests were used to evaluate prostate cancer prognosis depending on ERG levels. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate biochemical failure-free survival (BFFS) and the log-rank test was used to test the distribution. Prognostic factors were determined using Cox regression analysis. The median patient age was 69 years (range, 47-82 years). The median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and free-PSA levels before treatment were 9.58 ng/ml (range, 0.003-187.400 ng/ml) and 1.13 ng/ml (range, 0.0059-30.6100 ng/ml), respectively. ERG protein expression was positive in 43 (16.6%) and negative in 216 (83.4%) cases. The median follow-up period and BFFS were 30 and 28 months, respectively. There was a significant difference in biochemical recurrence (P=0.017) between patients with positive and negative ERG expression. Patients with positive ERG expression had significantly worse BFFS curves compared with those with negative ERG expression (P=0.0038). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, positive ERG expression was found to be an independent prognostic factor in patients with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy (hazard ratio, 4.08; 95% confidence interval, 2.03-8.17; P=0.000074). In conclusion, positive ERG expression is an independent prognostic risk factor for prostate cancer. These findings may be valuable for improvements in the clinical application of ERG immunohistochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Department of Urology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Jing Tao
- Department of Urology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Rangrang Wang
- Department of Surgery, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Haojie Xuan
- Department of Urology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Zhihao Chen
- Department of Urology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Li Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Haiyong Ding
- Department of Urology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Zhongquan Sun
- Department of Urology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
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Golledge J, Thanigaimani S, Powell JT, Tsao PS. Pathogenesis and management of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Eur Heart J 2023:ehad386. [PMID: 37387260 PMCID: PMC10393073 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) causes ∼170 000 deaths annually worldwide. Most guidelines recommend asymptomatic small AAAs (30 to <50 mm in women; 30 to <55 mm in men) are monitored by imaging and large asymptomatic, symptomatic, and ruptured AAAs are considered for surgical repair. Advances in AAA repair techniques have occurred, but a remaining priority is therapies to limit AAA growth and rupture. This review outlines research on AAA pathogenesis and therapies to limit AAA growth. Genome-wide association studies have identified novel drug targets, e.g. interleukin-6 blockade. Mendelian randomization analyses suggest that treatments to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol such as proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors and smoking reduction or cessation are also treatment targets. Thirteen placebo-controlled randomized trials have tested whether a range of antibiotics, blood pressure-lowering drugs, a mast cell stabilizer, an anti-platelet drug, or fenofibrate slow AAA growth. None of these trials have shown convincing evidence of drug efficacy and have been limited by small sample sizes, limited drug adherence, poor participant retention, and over-optimistic AAA growth reduction targets. Data from some large observational cohorts suggest that blood pressure reduction, particularly by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, could limit aneurysm rupture, but this has not been evaluated in randomized trials. Some observational studies suggest metformin may limit AAA growth, and this is currently being tested in randomized trials. In conclusion, no drug therapy has been shown to convincingly limit AAA growth in randomized controlled trials. Further large prospective studies on other targets are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Golledge
- Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, Douglas, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, Douglas, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Townsville University Hospital, 100 Angus Smith Drive, Douglas, QLD, Australia
| | - Shivshankar Thanigaimani
- Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, Douglas, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, Douglas, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Janet T Powell
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Fulham Palace Road, London, UK
| | - Phil S Tsao
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA, USA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA, USA
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Franco-Acevedo A, Comes J, Mack JJ, Valenzuela NM. New insights into maladaptive vascular responses to donor specific HLA antibodies in organ transplantation. FRONTIERS IN TRANSPLANTATION 2023; 2:1146040. [PMID: 38993843 PMCID: PMC11235244 DOI: 10.3389/frtra.2023.1146040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Transplant vasculopathy (TV) causes thickening of donor blood vessels in transplanted organs, and is a significant cause of graft loss and mortality in allograft recipients. It is known that patients with repeated acute rejection and/or donor specific antibodies are predisposed to TV. Nevertheless, the exact molecular mechanisms by which alloimmune injury culminates in this disease have not been fully delineated. As a result of this incomplete knowledge, there is currently a lack of effective therapies for this disease. The immediate intracellular signaling and the acute effects elicited by anti-donor HLA antibodies are well-described and continuing to be revealed in deeper detail. Further, advances in rejection diagnostics, including intragraft gene expression, provide clues to the inflammatory changes within allografts. However, mechanisms linking these events with long-term outcomes, particularly the maladaptive vascular remodeling seen in transplant vasculopathy, are still being delineated. New evidence demonstrates alterations in non-coding RNA profiles and the occurrence of endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) during acute antibody-mediated graft injury. EndMT is also readily apparent in numerous settings of non-transplant intimal hyperplasia, and lessons can be learned from advances in those fields. This review will provide an update on these recent developments and remaining questions in our understanding of HLA antibody-induced vascular damage, framed within a broader consideration of manifestations and implications across transplanted organ types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Franco-Acevedo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Johanna Comes
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Julia J Mack
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Nicole M Valenzuela
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Chapola H, de Bastiani MA, Duarte MM, Freitas MB, Schuster JS, de Vargas DM, Klamt F. A comparative study of COVID-19 transcriptional signatures between clinical samples and preclinical cell models in the search for disease master regulators and drug repositioning candidates. Virus Res 2023; 326:199053. [PMID: 36709793 PMCID: PMC9877318 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199053] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute viral disease with millions of cases worldwide. Although the number of daily new cases and deaths has been dropping, there is still a need for therapeutic alternatives to deal with severe cases. A promising strategy to prospect new therapeutic candidates is to investigate the regulatory mechanisms involved in COVID-19 progression using integrated transcriptomics approaches. In this work, we aimed to identify COVID-19 Master Regulators (MRs) using a series of publicly available gene expression datasets of lung tissue from patients which developed the severe form of the disease. We were able to identify a set of six potential COVID-19 MRs related to its severe form, namely TAL1, TEAD4, EPAS1, ATOH8, ERG, and ARNTL2. In addition, using the Connectivity Map drug repositioning approach, we identified 52 different drugs which could be used to revert the disease signature, thus being candidates for the design of novel clinical treatments. Furthermore, we compared the identified signature and drugs with the ones obtained from the analysis of nasopharyngeal swab samples from infected patients and preclinical cell models. This comparison showed significant similarities between them, although also revealing some limitations on the overlap between clinical and preclinical data in COVID-19, highlighting the need for careful selection of the best model for each disease stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Chapola
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Biochemistry Department, Institute of Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Marco Antônio de Bastiani
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Biochemistry Department, Institute of Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil; Zimmer Lab, Biochemistry Department, Institute of Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Mendes Duarte
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Biochemistry Department, Institute of Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Matheus Becker Freitas
- Estacio College of Rio Grande do Sul (ESTACIO FARGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90020-060, Brazil
| | | | - Daiani Machado de Vargas
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Biochemistry Department, Institute of Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil.
| | - Fábio Klamt
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Biochemistry Department, Institute of Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil; Zimmer Lab, Biochemistry Department, Institute of Health Sciences (ICBS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil; National Institutes of Science & Technology, Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil; IMMUNESHARE - MCTI Trial (CNPq/MCTI #137541939766794), Brazil
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10
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Schafer CM, Martin-Almedina S, Kurylowicz K, Dufton N, Osuna-Almagro L, Wu ML, Johnson CF, Shah AV, Haskard DO, Buxton A, Willis E, Wheeler K, Turner S, Chlebicz M, Scott RP, Kovats S, Cleuren A, Birdsey GM, Randi AM, Griffin CT. Cytokine-Mediated Degradation of the Transcription Factor ERG Impacts the Pulmonary Vascular Response to Systemic Inflammatory Challenge. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.08.527788. [PMID: 36798267 PMCID: PMC9934599 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.08.527788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Background During infectious diseases, pro-inflammatory cytokines transiently destabilize interactions between adjacent vascular endothelial cells (ECs) to facilitate the passage of immune molecules and cells into tissues. However, in the lung the resulting vascular hyperpermeability can lead to organ dysfunction. Previous work identified the transcription factor ERG as a master regulator of endothelial homeostasis. Here we investigate whether the sensitivity of pulmonary blood vessels to cytokine-induced destabilization is due to organotypic mechanisms affecting the ability of endothelial ERG to protect lung ECs from inflammatory injury. Methods Cytokine-dependent ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of ERG was analyzed in cultured Human Umbilical Vein ECs (HUVECs). Systemic administration of TNFα or the bacterial cell wall component lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to cause a widespread inflammatory challenge in mice; ERG protein levels were assessed by immunoprecipitation, immunoblot, and immunofluorescence. Murine Erg deletion was genetically induced in ECs ( Erg fl/fl ;Cdh5(PAC)Cre ERT2 ), and multiple organs were analyzed by histology, immunostaining, and electron microscopy. Results In vitro, TNFα promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of ERG in HUVECs, which was blocked by the proteasomal inhibitor MG132. In vivo, systemic administration of TNFα or LPS resulted in a rapid and substantial degradation of ERG within lung ECs, but not ECs of the retina, heart, liver, or kidney. Pulmonary ERG was also downregulated in a murine model of influenza infection. Erg fl/fl ;Cdh5(PAC)-Cre ERT2 mice spontaneously recapitulated aspects of inflammatory challenges, including lung-predominant vascular hyperpermeability, immune cell recruitment, and fibrosis. These phenotypes were associated with a lung-specific decrease in the expression of Tek , a gene target of ERG previously implicated in maintaining pulmonary vascular stability during inflammation. Conclusions Collectively, our data highlight a unique role for ERG in pulmonary vascular function. We propose that cytokine-induced ERG degradation and subsequent transcriptional changes in lung ECs play critical roles in the destabilization of pulmonary blood vessels during infectious diseases.
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11
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Wang R, Xu J, Tang Y, Wang Y, Zhao J, Ding L, Peng Y, Zhang Z. Transcriptome-wide analysis reveals the coregulation of RNA-binding proteins and alternative splicing genes in the development of atherosclerosis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1764. [PMID: 36720950 PMCID: PMC9889815 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26556-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are involved in the regulation of RNA splicing, stability, and localization. How RBPs control the development of atherosclerosis, is not fully understood. To explore the relevant RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and alternative splicing events (ASEs) in atherosclerosis. We made a comprehensive work to integrate analyses of differentially expressed genes, including differential RBPs, and variable splicing characteristics related to different stages of atherosclerosis in dataset GSE104140. A total of 3712 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 2921 upregulated genes and 791 downregulated genes. Further analysis screened out 54 RBP genes, and 434 AS genes overlapped DEGs. We selected high expression ten RBP genes (SAMHD1, DDX60 L, TLR7, RBM47, MYEF2, RNASE6, PARP12, APOBEC3G, SMAD9, and RNASE1) for co-expression analysis. Meanwhile, we found seven regulated alternative splicing genes (RASGs) (ABI1, FXR1, CHID1, PLEC, PRKACB, BNIP2, PPP3CB) that could be regulated by RBPs. The co-expression network was used to further elucidate the regulatory and interaction relationship between RBPs and AS genes. Apoptotic process and innate immune response, revealed by the functional enrichment analysis of RASGs regulated by RBPs were closely related to atherosclerosis. In addition, 26 of the 344 alternative splicing genes regulated by the above 10 RBPs were transcription factors (TFs), We selected high expression nine TFs (TFDP1, RBBP7, STAT2, CREB5, ERG, ELF1, HMGN3, BCLAF1, and ZEB2) for co-expression analysis. The target genes of these TFs were mainly enriched in inflammatory and immune response pathways that were associated with atherosclerosis. indicating that AS abnormalities of these TFs may have a function in atherosclerosis. Furthermore, the expression of differentially expressed RBPs and the alternative splicing events of AS genes was validated by qRT-PCR in umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The results showed that RBM47 were remarkedly difference in HUVEC treated with ox-LDL and the splicing ratio of AS in BCLAF1which is regulated by RBM47 significantly changed. In conclusion, the differentially expressed RBPs identified in our analysis may play important roles in the development of atherosclerosis by regulating the AS of these TF genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runqing Wang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Jin Xu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yuning Tang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Department of Cardiology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yongxiang Wang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Liqiong Ding
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yu Peng
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China. .,Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China. .,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China. .,Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
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12
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Gomez-Salinero JM, Itkin T, Houghton S, Badwe C, Lin Y, Kalna V, Dufton N, Peghaire CR, Yokoyama M, Wingo M, Lu TM, Li G, Xiang JZ, Hsu YMS, Redmond D, Schreiner R, Birdsey GM, Randi AM, Rafii S. Cooperative ETS Transcription Factors Enforce Adult Endothelial Cell Fate and Cardiovascular Homeostasis. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2022; 1:882-899. [PMID: 36713285 PMCID: PMC7614113 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-022-00128-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Current dogma dictates that during adulthood, endothelial cells (ECs) are locked in an immutable stable homeostatic state. By contrast, herein we show that maintenance of EC fate and function are linked and active processes, which depend on the constitutive cooperativity of only two ETS-transcription factors (TFs) ERG and Fli1. While deletion of either Fli1 or ERG manifest subtle vascular dysfunction, their combined genetic deletion in adult EC results in acute vasculopathy and multiorgan failure, due to loss of EC fate and integrity, hyperinflammation, and spontaneous thrombosis, leading to death. ERG and Fli1 co-deficiency cause rapid transcriptional silencing of pan- and organotypic vascular core genes, with dysregulation of inflammation and coagulation pathways. Vascular hyperinflammation leads to impaired hematopoiesis with myeloid skewing. Accordingly, enforced ERG and FLI1 expression in adult human mesenchymal stromal cells activates vascular programs and functionality enabling engraftment of perfusable vascular network. GWAS-analysis identified vascular diseases are associated with FLI1/Erg mutations. Constitutive expression of ERG and Fli1 uphold EC fate, physiological function, and resilience in adult vasculature; while their functional loss can contribute to systemic human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus M Gomez-Salinero
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Tomer Itkin
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Sean Houghton
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Chaitanya Badwe
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Yang Lin
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Viktoria Kalna
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Human Genetics and Computational Biology GSK, UK (current address)
| | - Neil Dufton
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Microvascular Research, William Harvey Research Centre, UK (current address)
| | - Claire R Peghaire
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm UMR1034, Biology of Cardiovascular Diseases, Pessac, France (current address)
| | - Masataka Yokoyama
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Matthew Wingo
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Tyler M. Lu
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ge Li
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | | | - Yen-Michael Sheng Hsu
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (current address)
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA (current address)
| | - David Redmond
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Ryan Schreiner
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
| | - Graeme M Birdsey
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Anna M Randi
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Shahin Rafii
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Hartman Institute for Therapeutic Organ Regeneration, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA
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13
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Vasuri F, Germinario G, Ciavarella C, Carroli M, Motta I, Valente S, Cescon M, D’Errico A, Pasquinelli G, Ravaioli M. Trophism and Homeostasis of Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Graft Cells during Preservation, with and without Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11091329. [PMID: 36138808 PMCID: PMC9495341 DOI: 10.3390/biology11091329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the homeostasis and trophism of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) in vivo in different stages of liver graft donation, in order to understand the effects of graft ischemia and perfusion on LSEC activity in liver grafts. Special attention was paid to grafts that underwent hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE). Forty-seven donors were prospectively enrolled, and two distinct biopsies were performed in each case: one allocation biopsy (at the stage of organ allocation) and one post-perfusion biopsy, performed after graft implant in the recipients. In all biopsies, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR analyses were carried out for the endothelial markers CD34, ERG, Nestin, and VEGFR-2. We observed an increase in CD34 immunoreactivity in LSEC during the whole preservation/perfusion period (p < 0.001). Nestin and ERG expression was low in allocation biopsies, but increased in post-perfusion biopsies, in both immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR (p < 0.001). An inverse correlation was observed between ERG positivity and donor age. Our results indicate that LSEC trophism is severely depressed in liver grafts, but it is restored after reperfusion in standard conditions. The execution of HOPE seems to improve this recovery, confirming the effectiveness of this machine perfusion technique in restoring endothelial functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Vasuri
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuliana Germinario
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmen Ciavarella
- Clinical Pathology, Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Carroli
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilenia Motta
- Clinical Pathology, Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Valente
- Clinical Pathology, Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Cescon
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonia D’Errico
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Pasquinelli
- Clinical Pathology, Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Ravaioli
- Department of General Surgery and Transplantation, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-214-4810
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14
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Caporarello N, Lee J, Pham TX, Jones DL, Guan J, Link PA, Meridew JA, Marden G, Yamashita T, Osborne CA, Bhagwate AV, Huang SK, Nicosia RF, Tschumperlin DJ, Trojanowska M, Ligresti G. Dysfunctional ERG signaling drives pulmonary vascular aging and persistent fibrosis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4170. [PMID: 35879310 PMCID: PMC9314350 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31890-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular dysfunction is a hallmark of chronic diseases in elderly. The contribution of the vasculature to lung repair and fibrosis is not fully understood. Here, we performed an epigenetic and transcriptional analysis of lung endothelial cells (ECs) from young and aged mice during the resolution or progression of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. We identified the transcription factor ETS-related gene (ERG) as putative orchestrator of lung capillary homeostasis and repair, and whose function is dysregulated in aging. ERG dysregulation is associated with reduced chromatin accessibility and maladaptive transcriptional responses to injury. Loss of endothelial ERG enhances paracrine fibroblast activation in vitro, and impairs lung fibrosis resolution in young mice in vivo. scRNA-seq of ERG deficient mouse lungs reveales transcriptional and fibrogenic abnormalities resembling those associated with aging and human lung fibrosis, including reduced number of general capillary (gCap) ECs. Our findings demonstrate that lung endothelial chromatin remodeling deteriorates with aging leading to abnormal transcription, vascular dysrepair, and persistent fibrosis following injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Caporarello
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jisu Lee
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tho X Pham
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dakota L Jones
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jiazhen Guan
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick A Link
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Meridew
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Grace Marden
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Collin A Osborne
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Aditya V Bhagwate
- Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Steven K Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Roberto F Nicosia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Maria Trojanowska
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giovanni Ligresti
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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15
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D'Amico G, Fernandez I, Gómez-Escudero J, Kim H, Maniati E, Azman MS, Mardakheh FK, Serrels B, Serrels A, Parsons M, Squire A, Birdsey GM, Randi AM, Bolado-Carrancio A, Gangeswaran R, Reynolds LE, Bodrug N, Wang Y, Wang J, Meier P, Hodivala-Dilke KM. ERG activity is regulated by endothelial FAK coupling with TRIM25/USP9x in vascular patterning. Development 2022; 149:dev200528. [PMID: 35723257 PMCID: PMC9340553 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Precise vascular patterning is crucial for normal growth and development. The ERG transcription factor drives Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4)/Notch signalling and is thought to act as a pivotal regulator of endothelial cell (EC) dynamics and developmental angiogenesis. However, molecular regulation of ERG activity remains obscure. Using a series of EC-specific focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-knockout (KO) and point-mutant FAK-knock-in mice, we show that loss of ECFAK, its kinase activity or phosphorylation at FAK-Y397, but not FAK-Y861, reduces ERG and DLL4 expression levels together with concomitant aberrations in vascular patterning. Rapid immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry of endogenous proteins identified that endothelial nuclear-FAK interacts with the deubiquitinase USP9x and the ubiquitin ligase TRIM25. Further in silico analysis confirms that ERG interacts with USP9x and TRIM25. Moreover, ERG levels are reduced in FAKKO ECs via a ubiquitin-mediated post-translational modification programme involving USP9x and TRIM25. Re-expression of ERG in vivo and in vitro rescues the aberrant vessel-sprouting defects observed in the absence of ECFAK. Our findings identify ECFAK as a regulator of retinal vascular patterning by controlling ERG protein degradation via TRIM25/USP9x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela D'Amico
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute – a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Isabelle Fernandez
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute – a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Jesús Gómez-Escudero
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute – a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Hyojin Kim
- The Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Eleni Maniati
- Centre for Cancer Genomics and Computational Biology, Barts Cancer Institute – a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Muhammad Syahmi Azman
- Centre for Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Barts Cancer Institute – a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Faraz K. Mardakheh
- Centre for Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Barts Cancer Institute – a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Bryan Serrels
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Bearsden G61 1QH, UK
| | - Alan Serrels
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Maddy Parsons
- Kings College London, Randall Centre of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Room 3.22B, New Hunts House, Guys Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Anthony Squire
- IMCES - Imaging Centre Essen, Institute for Experimental Immunology and Imaging, University Clinic Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Graeme M. Birdsey
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Anna M. Randi
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | | | - Rathi Gangeswaran
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute – a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Louise E. Reynolds
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute – a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Natalia Bodrug
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute – a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Yaohe Wang
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute – a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Jun Wang
- Centre for Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology, Barts Cancer Institute – a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Pascal Meier
- The Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Kairbaan M. Hodivala-Dilke
- Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute – a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
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16
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HDAC11 promotes both NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD and caspase-3/GSDME pathways causing pyroptosis via ERG in vascular endothelial cells. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:112. [PMID: 35279683 PMCID: PMC8918356 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00906-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Histone deacetylase 11 (HDAC11), a sole member of the class IV HDAC subfamily, participates in various cardiovascular diseases. Recent evidence showed that pyroptosis was a form of inflammatory programmed cell death and is critical for atherosclerosis (AS). However, little is known about the effect of HDAC11 on endothelial cell pyroptosis in AS. Thus, this study aims to investigate the role of HDAC11 in vascular endothelial cell pyroptosis and its molecular mechanism. Firstly, we found that HDAC11 expression was up-regulated and pyroptosis occurred in the aorta of ApoE−/− mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 or 12 weeks. Then, in vitro study found the treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) resulted in pyroptosis, as evidenced by activation of caspase-1 and caspase-3 activation, cleavage of downstream gasdermin D (GSDMD) and gasdermin E (GSDME/DFNA5), the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-18, as well as elevation of LDH activity and increase of propidium iodide (PI)-positive cells. Besides, TNF-α increased HDAC11 expression and induced pyroptosis via TNFR1 in HUVECs. HDAC11 knockdown mitigated pyroptosis by suppressing both NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD and caspase-3/GSDME pathways in TNF-α-induced HUVECs. Moreover, GSDME knockdown by siRNA significantly decreased pyroptosis and inflammatory response, while treatment with disulfiram or necrosulfonamide (NSA) further augmented the inhibitory effects of GSDME siRNA on pyroptosis and inflammatory response. Further studies found HDAC11 formed a complex with ERG and decreased the acetylation levels of ERG. More importantly, ERG knockdown augmented vascular endothelial cell pyroptosis in TNF-α-induced HUVECs. Taken together, our study suggests that HDAC11 might promote both NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD and caspase-3/GSDME pathways leading to pyroptosis via regulation of ERG acetylation in HUVECs. Modulation of HDAC11 may serve as a potential target for therapeutic strategies of AS.
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17
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Yoshimatsu Y, Watabe T. Emerging roles of inflammation-mediated endothelial–mesenchymal transition in health and disease. Inflamm Regen 2022; 42:9. [PMID: 35130955 PMCID: PMC8818500 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-021-00186-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), a cellular differentiation process in which endothelial cells (ECs) lose their properties and differentiate into mesenchymal cells, has been observed not only during development but also in various pathological states in adults, including cancer progression and organ/tissue fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), an inflammation-related cytokine, has been shown to play central roles in the induction of EndoMT. TGF-β induces EndoMT by regulating the expression of various transcription factors, signaling molecules, and cellular components that confer ECs with mesenchymal characteristics. However, TGF-β by itself is not necessarily sufficient to induce EndoMT to promote the progression of EndoMT-related diseases to a refractory extent. In addition to TGF-β, additional activation by other inflammatory factors is often required to stabilize the progression of EndoMT. Since recent lines of evidence indicate that inflammatory signaling molecules act as enhancers of EndoMT, we summarize the roles of inflammatory factors in the induction of EndoMT and related diseases. We hope that this review will help to develop therapeutic strategies for EndoMT-related diseases by targeting inflammation-mediated EndoMT.
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18
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Tharakan B, Hunter FA, Muthusamy S, Randolph S, Byrd C, Rao VN, Reddy ESP, Childs EW. ETS-Related Gene Activation Preserves Adherens Junctions and Permeability in Microvascular Endothelial Cells. Shock 2022; 57:309-315. [PMID: 34907119 DOI: 10.1097/shk.0000000000001899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT ERG (ETS-related gene) is a member of the ETS (Erythroblast-transformation specific) family of transcription factors abundantly present in vascular endothelial cells. Recent studies demonstrate that ERG has important roles in blood vessel stability and angiogenesis. However, it is unclear how ERG is potentially involved in microvascular barrier functions and permeability. A wide variety of diseases and clinical conditions including trauma-hemorrhagic shock and burn injury are associated with microvascular dysfunctions, which causes excessive microvascular permeability, tissue edema and eventually, multiple organ dysfunction and death. The main purpose of this study was to determine the specific role of ERG in regulating microvascular permeability in human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMEC) and to evaluate if exogenous ERG will protect the barrier. The HLMECs were grown on Transwell inserts as monolayers and were transfected with ERG CRISPR/cas9 knockdown plasmid, ERG CRISPR activation plasmid, recombinant ERG protein or their respective controls. Recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was used as an inducer of permeability for evaluating the effect of ERG activation on permeability. Changes in barrier integrity and permeability were studied using monolayer permeability assay and immunofluorescence of adherens junction proteins (VE-cadherin and β-catenin) respectively. CRISPR/cas9-based ERG knockdown as well as VEGF treatment induced monolayer hyperpermeability, VE-cadherin, and β-catenin junctional relocation and cytoskeletal F-actin stress fiber formation. CRISPR based ERG activation and recombinant ERG transfection attenuated VEGF-induced monolayer hyperpermeability. ERG activation preserved the adherens junctions and cytoskeleton. These results demonstrate that ERG is a potent regulator of barrier integrity and permeability in human lung microvascular endothelial cells and endogenously or exogenously enhancing ERG provides protection against barrier dysfunction and hyperpermeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binu Tharakan
- Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Felicia A Hunter
- Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Sonya Randolph
- Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Crystal Byrd
- Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Veena N Rao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - E Shyam P Reddy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ed W Childs
- Department of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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Genes Associated with Disturbed Cerebral Neurogenesis in the Embryonic Brain of Mouse Models of Down Syndrome. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101598. [PMID: 34680993 PMCID: PMC8535956 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), also known as trisomy 21, is the most frequent genetic cause of intellectual disability. Although the mechanism remains unknown, delayed brain development is assumed to be involved in DS intellectual disability. Analyses with human with DS and mouse models have shown that defects in embryonic cortical neurogenesis may lead to delayed brain development. Cre-loxP-mediated chromosomal engineering has allowed the generation of a variety of mouse models carrying various partial Mmu16 segments. These mouse models are useful for determining genotype–phenotype correlations and identifying dosage-sensitive genes involved in the impaired neurogenesis. In this review, we summarize several candidate genes and pathways that have been linked to defective cortical neurogenesis in DS.
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20
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Vasuri F, Valente S, Motta I, Degiovanni A, Ciavarella C, Pasquinelli G. ETS-Related Gene Expression in Healthy Femoral Arteries With Focal Calcifications. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:623782. [PMID: 34222223 PMCID: PMC8242207 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.623782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone development-related genes are enriched in healthy femoral arteries, which are more prone to calcification, as documented by the predominance of fibrocalcific plaques at the femoral location. We undertook a prospective histological study on the presence of calcifications in normal femoral arteries collected from donors. Since endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) participates in vascular remodeling, immunohistochemical (IHC) and molecular markers of EndMT and chondro-osteogenic differentiation were assessed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to describe calcification at its inception. Two hundred and fourteen femoral arteries were enrolled. The mean age of the donors was 39.9 ± 12.9 years; male gender prevailed (M: 128). Histology showed a normal architecture; calcifications were found in 52 (24.3%) cases, without correlations with cardiovascular risk factors. Calcifications were seen on or just beneath the inner elastic lamina (IEL). At IHC, SLUG was increasingly expressed in the wall of focally calcified femoral arteries (FCFA). ETS-related gene (ERG), SLUG, CD44, and SOX-9 were positive in calcifications. RT-PCR showed increased levels of BPM-2, RUNX-2, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin osteogenic transcripts and increased expression of the chondrogenic marker, SOX-9, in FCFA. TEM documented osteoblast-like cells adjacent to the IEL, releasing calcifying vesicles from the cell membrane. The vesicles were embedded in a proteoglycan-rich matrix and were entrapped in IEL fenestrations. In this study, ERG- and CD44-positive cell populations were found in the context of increased SLUG expression, thus supporting the participation of EndMT in FCFA; the increased transcript expression of osteochondrogenic markers, particularly SOX-9, reinforced the view that EndMT, osteochondrogenesis, and neoangiogenesis interact in the process of arterial calcification. Given its role as a transcription factor in the regulation of endothelial homeostasis, arterial ERG expression can be a clue of endothelial dysregulation and changes in IEL organization which can ultimately hinder calcifying vesicle diffusion through the IEL fenestrae. These results may have a broader implication for understanding arterial calcification within a disease context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Vasuri
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Valente
- Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilenia Motta
- Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessio Degiovanni
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmen Ciavarella
- Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Pasquinelli
- Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine Department (DIMES), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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21
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Marsman J, Gimenez G, Day RC, Horsfield JA, Jones GT. A non-coding genetic variant associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm alters ERG gene regulation. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:554-565. [PMID: 31691800 PMCID: PMC7068029 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a major cause of sudden death in the elderly. While AAA has some overlapping genetic and environmental risk factors with atherosclerosis, there are substantial differences, and AAA-specific medication is lacking. A recent meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies has identified four novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) specifically associated with AAA. Here, we investigated the gene regulatory function for one of four non-coding SNPs associated with AAA, rs2836411, which is located in an intron of the ERG gene. Rs2836411 resides within a >70 kb super-enhancer that has high levels of H3K27ac and H3K4me1 in vascular endothelial and haematopoietic cell types. Enhancer luciferase assays in cell lines showed that the risk allele significantly alters enhancer activity. The risk allele also correlates with reduced ERG expression in aortic and other vascular tissues. To identify whether rs2836411 directly contacts the promoters of ERG and/or of genes further away, we performed allele-specific circular chromosome conformation capture sequencing. In vascular endothelial cells, which express ERG, the SNP region interacts highly within the super-enhancer, while in vascular smooth muscle cells, which do not express ERG, the interactions are distributed across a wider region that includes neighbouring genes. Furthermore, the risk allele has fewer interactions within the super-enhancer compared to the protective allele. In conclusion, our results indicate that rs2836411 likely affects ERG expression by altering enhancer activity and changing local chromatin interactions. ERG is involved in vascular development, angiogenesis, and inflammation in atherosclerosis; therefore mechanistically, rs2836411 could contribute to AAA by modulating ERG levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Marsman
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Gregory Gimenez
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Robert C Day
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Julia A Horsfield
- Department of Pathology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Gregory T Jones
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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22
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Endothelial ERG alleviates cardiac fibrosis via blocking endothelin-1-dependent paracrine mechanism. Cell Biol Toxicol 2021; 37:873-890. [PMID: 33469864 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-021-09581-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac endothelium communicates closely with adjacent cardiac cells by multiple cytokines and plays critical roles in regulating fibroblasts proliferation, activation, and collagen synthesis during cardiac fibrosis. E26 transformation-specific (ETS)-related gene (ERG) belongs to the ETS transcriptional factor family and is required for endothelial cells (ECs) homeostasis and cardiac development. This study aims at investigating the potential role and molecular basis of ERG in fibrotic remodeling within the adult heart. We observed that ERG was abundant in murine hearts, especially in cardiac ECs, but decreased during cardiac fibrosis. ERG knockdown within murine hearts caused spontaneously cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction, accompanied by the activation of multiple Smad-dependent and independent pathways. However, the direct silence of ERG in cardiac fibroblasts did not affect the expression of fibrotic markers. Intriguingly, ERG knockdown in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) promoted the secretion of endothelin-1 (ET-1), which subsequently accelerated the proliferation, phenotypic transition, and collagen synthesis of cardiac fibroblasts in a paracrine manner. Suppressing ET-1 with either a neutralizing antibody or a receptor blocker abolished ERG knockdown-mediated deleterious effect in vivo and in vitro. This pro-fibrotic effect was also negated by RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp)-peptide magnetic nanoparticles target delivery of ET-1 small interfering RNA to ECs in mice. More importantly, we proved that endothelial ERG overexpression notably prevented pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis. Collectively, endothelial ERG alleviates cardiac fibrosis via blocking ET-1-dependent paracrine mechanism and it functions as a candidate for treating cardiac fibrosis. • ERG is abundant in murine hearts, especially in cardiac ECs, but decreased during fibrotic remodeling. • ERG knockdown causes spontaneously cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction. • ERG silence in HUVECs promotes the secretion of endothelin-1, which in turn activates cardiac fibroblasts in a paracrine manner. • Endothelial ERG overexpression prevents pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis.
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23
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Mazzotta C, Marden G, Farina A, Bujor A, Trojanowski MA, Trojanowska M. FLI1 and ERG protein degradation is regulated via Cathepsin B lysosomal pathway in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Microcirculation 2020; 28:e12660. [PMID: 32979864 PMCID: PMC7988617 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific, important regulators of endothelial cell homeostasis, are reduced in microvascular endothelial cells in scleroderma patients, and their deficiency has been implicated in disease pathogenesis. The goal of this study was to identify the mechanisms involved in the protein turnover of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific in microvascular endothelial cells. Methods The effects of lysosome and proteosome inhibitors on friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific levels were assessed by Western blotting and capillary morphogenesis. The effect of scleroderma and control sera on the levels of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific was examined. Results The reduction in the protein levels of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific in response to interferon α or Poly:(IC) was reversed by blocking either lysosomal (leupeptin and Cathepsin B inhibitor) or proteosomal degradation (MG132). MG132, leupeptin or CTSB‐(i) also counteracted the anti‐angiogenic effects of Poly:(IC) or interferon α. Scleroderma sera reduced protein levels of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific in comparison to control sera. Treatment with CTSB(i) increased the levels of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific in a majority of serum‐treated samples. Conclusions Inhibition of cathepsin B was effective in reversing the reduction of friend leukemia integration 1 and erythroblast transformation‐specific protein levels after treatment with interferon α or scleroderma sera, suggesting that targeting cathepsin B may have a beneficial effect in SSc vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celestina Mazzotta
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Grace Marden
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alessandra Farina
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andreea Bujor
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marcin A Trojanowski
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Center, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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24
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Li Y, Ren P, Dawson A, Vasquez HG, Ageedi W, Zhang C, Luo W, Chen R, Li Y, Kim S, Lu HS, Cassis LA, Coselli JS, Daugherty A, Shen YH, LeMaire SA. Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Dynamic Cell Populations and Differential Gene Expression Patterns in Control and Aneurysmal Human Aortic Tissue. Circulation 2020; 142:1374-1388. [PMID: 33017217 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.120.046528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA) is caused by the progressive weakening and dilatation of the aortic wall and can lead to aortic dissection, rupture, and other life-threatening complications. To improve our understanding of ATAA pathogenesis, we aimed to comprehensively characterize the cellular composition of the ascending aortic wall and to identify molecular alterations in each cell population of human ATAA tissues. METHODS We performed single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of ascending aortic tissues from 11 study participants, including 8 patients with ATAA (4 women and 4 men) and 3 control subjects (2 women and 1 man). Cells extracted from aortic tissue were analyzed and categorized with single-cell RNA sequencing data to perform cluster identification. ATAA-related changes were then examined by comparing the proportions of each cell type and the gene expression profiles between ATAA and control tissues. We also examined which genes may be critical for ATAA by performing the integrative analysis of our single-cell RNA sequencing data with publicly available data from genome-wide association studies. RESULTS We identified 11 major cell types in human ascending aortic tissue; the high-resolution reclustering of these cells further divided them into 40 subtypes. Multiple subtypes were observed for smooth muscle cells, macrophages, and T lymphocytes, suggesting that these cells have multiple functional populations in the aortic wall. In general, ATAA tissues had fewer nonimmune cells and more immune cells, especially T lymphocytes, than control tissues did. Differential gene expression data suggested the presence of extensive mitochondrial dysfunction in ATAA tissues. In addition, integrative analysis of our single-cell RNA sequencing data with public genome-wide association study data and promoter capture Hi-C data suggested that the erythroblast transformation-specific related gene(ERG) exerts an important role in maintaining normal aortic wall function. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the cellular composition of the ascending aortic wall and reveals how the gene expression landscape is altered in human ATAA tissue. The information from this study makes important contributions to our understanding of ATAA formation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanming Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Pingping Ren
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Ashley Dawson
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Hernan G Vasquez
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Waleed Ageedi
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Chen Zhang
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Wei Luo
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Rui Chen
- Human Genome Sequencing Center (R.C., Yumei Li, S.K.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Yumei Li
- Human Genome Sequencing Center (R.C., Yumei Li, S.K.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Sangbae Kim
- Human Genome Sequencing Center (R.C., Yumei Li, S.K.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Hong S Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.S.L., A. Daugherty), University of Kentucky, Lexington.,Department of Physiology (H.S.L., A. Daugherty), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Joseph S Coselli
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.S.L., A. Daugherty), University of Kentucky, Lexington.,Department of Physiology (H.S.L., A. Daugherty), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Ying H Shen
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Scott A LeMaire
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics (S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
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Gambardella J, Khondkar W, Morelli MB, Wang X, Santulli G, Trimarco V. Arginine and Endothelial Function. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8080277. [PMID: 32781796 PMCID: PMC7460461 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8080277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Arginine (L-arginine), is an amino acid involved in a number of biological processes, including the biosynthesis of proteins, host immune response, urea cycle, and nitric oxide production. In this systematic review, we focus on the functional role of arginine in the regulation of endothelial function and vascular tone. Both clinical and preclinical studies are examined, analyzing the effects of arginine supplementation in hypertension, ischemic heart disease, aging, peripheral artery disease, and diabetes mellitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Gambardella
- Department of Medicine (Division of Cardiology), Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine—Montefiore University Hospital, New York City, NY 10461, USA; (J.G.); (W.K.); (M.B.M.); (X.W.)
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, “Federico II” University, 80131 Naples, Italy
- International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME), 80100 Naples, Italy
| | - Wafiq Khondkar
- Department of Medicine (Division of Cardiology), Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine—Montefiore University Hospital, New York City, NY 10461, USA; (J.G.); (W.K.); (M.B.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Marco Bruno Morelli
- Department of Medicine (Division of Cardiology), Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine—Montefiore University Hospital, New York City, NY 10461, USA; (J.G.); (W.K.); (M.B.M.); (X.W.)
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY 10461, USA
| | - Xujun Wang
- Department of Medicine (Division of Cardiology), Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine—Montefiore University Hospital, New York City, NY 10461, USA; (J.G.); (W.K.); (M.B.M.); (X.W.)
| | - Gaetano Santulli
- Department of Medicine (Division of Cardiology), Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine—Montefiore University Hospital, New York City, NY 10461, USA; (J.G.); (W.K.); (M.B.M.); (X.W.)
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, “Federico II” University, 80131 Naples, Italy
- International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME), 80100 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Valentina Trimarco
- Department of Neuroscience, “Federico II” University, 80131 Naples, Italy;
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Sasso FC, Zuchegna C, Tecce MF, Capasso A, Adinolfi LE, Romano A, Bartollino S, Porcellini A, Costagliola C. High glucose concentration produces a short-term increase in pERK1/2 and p85 proteins, having a direct angiogenetic effect by an action similar to VEGF. Acta Diabetol 2020; 57:947-958. [PMID: 32130518 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-020-01501-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Excessive glucose serum concentration, endothelial dysfunction and microangiopathy are key features of diabetes mellitus, being both diagnostic parameters and pathogenetic mechanisms. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is importantly implicated in the physiology and pathology of blood vessels, including diabetic vascular damage. METHODS These factors certainly affect endothelial cells, and to evaluate mechanisms involved, we took advantage of telomerase-immortalized human microvascular endothelial (TIME) cells. TIME cells were exposed to different glucose concentrations and to VEGF treatments. Culture conditions also included the use of basement membrane extract, as an in vitro differentiation model. Cell morphology was then evaluated in the different conditions, and cellular proteins were extracted to analyze specific protein products by Western blot. RESULTS High glucose concentrations and VEGF did substantially affect neither morphology nor growth of cultured TIME cells, while both considerably increased differentiation into "capillary-like" structures when cells were cultured on basement membrane extract. CONCLUSIONS Under these conditions, high glucose concentration and VEGF also produced a short-term increase in pERK1/2 and p85 proteins, while total and phosphorylated AKT were not affected. These data suggest a direct angiogenetic effect of glucose, affecting intracellular transduction mechanisms with an action similar to that of VEGF. This effect on endothelial cell proliferation and differentiation could be part of pathogenetic mechanisms producing diabetic microvascular alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinando Carlo Sasso
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery, Università Dalla Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138, Naples, Italy.
| | - Candida Zuchegna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cinthia, 4, 80126, Naples, Italy.
| | | | - Anna Capasso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Luigi Elio Adinolfi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery, Università Dalla Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Romano
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cinthia, 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Bartollino
- Department of Medicine and Health Science "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Antonio Porcellini
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cinthia, 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Ciro Costagliola
- Department of Medicine and Health Science "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
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Peghaire C, Dufton NP, Lang M, Salles-Crawley II, Ahnström J, Kalna V, Raimondi C, Pericleous C, Inuabasi L, Kiseleva R, Muzykantov VR, Mason JC, Birdsey GM, Randi AM. The transcription factor ERG regulates a low shear stress-induced anti-thrombotic pathway in the microvasculature. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5014. [PMID: 31676784 PMCID: PMC6825134 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12897-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells actively maintain an anti-thrombotic environment; loss of this protective function may lead to thrombosis and systemic coagulopathy. The transcription factor ERG is essential to maintain endothelial homeostasis. Here, we show that inducible endothelial ERG deletion (ErgiEC-KO) in mice is associated with spontaneous thrombosis, hemorrhages and systemic coagulopathy. We find that ERG drives transcription of the anticoagulant thrombomodulin (TM), as shown by reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation. TM expression is regulated by shear stress (SS) via Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2). In vitro, ERG regulates TM expression under low SS conditions, by facilitating KLF2 binding to the TM promoter. However, ERG is dispensable for TM expression in high SS conditions. In ErgiEC-KO mice, TM expression is decreased in liver and lung microvasculature exposed to low SS but not in blood vessels exposed to high SS. Our study identifies an endogenous, vascular bed-specific anticoagulant pathway in microvasculature exposed to low SS.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Peghaire
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - N P Dufton
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - M Lang
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - I I Salles-Crawley
- Centre for Haematology, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - J Ahnström
- Centre for Haematology, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - V Kalna
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - C Raimondi
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - C Pericleous
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - L Inuabasi
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - R Kiseleva
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - V R Muzykantov
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - J C Mason
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - G M Birdsey
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - A M Randi
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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Zileuton, a 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitor, Exerts Anti-Angiogenic Effect by Inducing Apoptosis of HUVEC via BK Channel Activation. Cells 2019; 8:cells8101182. [PMID: 31575085 PMCID: PMC6829222 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The arachidonic acid metabolism through 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathways is involved in modulating both tumorigenesis and angiogenesis. Although anti-carcinogenic activities of certain 5-LO inhibitors have been reported, the role of zileuton, a well known 5-LO inhibitor, on the endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that zileuton has an anti-angiogenic effect, and the underlying mechanisms involved activation of the large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channel. Our results show that zileuton significantly prevented vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro, as well as in vivo. However, such anti-angiogenic effect of zileuton was abolished by iberiotoxin (IBTX), a BK channel blocker, suggesting zileuton-induced activation of BK channel was critical for the observed anti-angiogenic effect of zileuton. Furthermore, the anti-angiogenic effect of zileuton was, at least, due to the activation of pro-apoptotic signaling cascades which was also abolished by IBTX. Additionally, zileuton suppressed the expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, ETS related gene (Erg) and the production of nitric oxide (NO). Taken together, our results show that zileuton prevents angiogenesis by activating the BK channel dependent-apoptotic pathway, thus highlighting its therapeutic capacity in angiogenesis-related diseases, such as cancer.
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Possible cooption of a VEGF-driven tubulogenesis program for biomineralization in echinoderms. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:12353-12362. [PMID: 31152134 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1902126116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomineralization is the process by which living organisms use minerals to form hard structures that protect and support them. Biomineralization is believed to have evolved rapidly and independently in different phyla utilizing preexisting components. The mechanistic understanding of the regulatory networks that drive biomineralization and their evolution is far from clear. Sea urchin skeletogenesis is an excellent model system for studying both gene regulation and mineral uptake and deposition. The sea urchin calcite spicules are formed within a tubular cavity generated by the skeletogenic cells controlled by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. The VEGF pathway is essential for biomineralization in echinoderms, while in many other phyla, across metazoans, it controls tubulogenesis and vascularization. Despite the critical role of VEGF signaling in sea urchin spiculogenesis, the downstream program it activates was largely unknown. Here we study the cellular and molecular machinery activated by the VEGF pathway during sea urchin spiculogenesis and reveal multiple parallels to the regulation of vertebrate vascularization. Human VEGF rescues sea urchin VEGF knockdown, vesicle deposition into an internal cavity plays a significant role in both systems, and sea urchin VEGF signaling activates hundreds of genes, including biomineralization and interestingly, vascularization genes. Moreover, five upstream transcription factors and three signaling genes that drive spiculogenesis are homologous to vertebrate factors that control vascularization. Overall, our findings suggest that sea urchin spiculogenesis and vertebrate vascularization diverged from a common ancestral tubulogenesis program, broadly adapted for vascularization and specifically coopted for biomineralization in the echinoderm phylum.
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Kalna V, Yang Y, Peghaire CR, Frudd K, Hannah R, Shah AV, Osuna Almagro L, Boyle JJ, Göttgens B, Ferrer J, Randi AM, Birdsey GM. The Transcription Factor ERG Regulates Super-Enhancers Associated With an Endothelial-Specific Gene Expression Program. Circ Res 2019; 124:1337-1349. [PMID: 30892142 PMCID: PMC6493686 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.118.313788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The ETS (E-26 transformation-specific) transcription factor ERG (ETS-related gene) is essential for endothelial homeostasis, driving expression of lineage genes and repressing proinflammatory genes. Loss of ERG expression is associated with diseases including atherosclerosis. ERG's homeostatic function is lineage-specific, because aberrant ERG expression in cancer is oncogenic. The molecular basis for ERG lineage-specific activity is unknown. Transcriptional regulation of lineage specificity is linked to enhancer clusters (super-enhancers). OBJECTIVE To investigate whether ERG regulates endothelial-specific gene expression via super-enhancers. METHODS AND RESULTS Chromatin immunoprecipitation with high-throughput sequencing in human umbilical vein endothelial cells showed that ERG binds 93% of super-enhancers ranked according to H3K27ac, a mark of active chromatin. These were associated with endothelial genes such as DLL4 (Delta-like protein 4), CLDN5 (claudin-5), VWF (von Willebrand factor), and CDH5 (VE-cadherin). Comparison between human umbilical vein endothelial cell and prostate cancer TMPRSS2 (transmembrane protease, serine-2):ERG fusion-positive human prostate epithelial cancer cell line (VCaP) cells revealed distinctive lineage-specific transcriptome and super-enhancer profiles. At a subset of endothelial super-enhancers (including DLL4 and CLDN5), loss of ERG results in significant reduction in gene expression which correlates with decreased enrichment of H3K27ac and MED (Mediator complex subunit)-1, and reduced recruitment of acetyltransferase p300. At these super-enhancers, co-occupancy of GATA2 (GATA-binding protein 2) and AP-1 (activator protein 1) is significantly lower compared with super-enhancers that remained constant following ERG inhibition. These data suggest distinct mechanisms of super-enhancer regulation in endothelial cells and highlight the unique role of ERG in controlling a core subset of super-enhancers. Most disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms from genome-wide association studies lie within noncoding regions and perturb transcription factor recognition sequences in relevant cell types. Analysis of genome-wide association studies data shows significant enrichment of risk variants for cardiovascular disease and other diseases, at ERG endothelial enhancers and super-enhancers. CONCLUSIONS The transcription factor ERG promotes endothelial homeostasis via regulation of lineage-specific enhancers and super-enhancers. Enrichment of cardiovascular disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms at ERG super-enhancers suggests that ERG-dependent transcription modulates disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Kalna
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Youwen Yang
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire R. Peghaire
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Frudd
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Hannah
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome Trust and MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (R.H., B.G.)
| | - Aarti V. Shah
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Lourdes Osuna Almagro
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph J. Boyle
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Berthold Göttgens
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome Trust and MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (R.H., B.G.)
| | - Jorge Ferrer
- Epigenomics and Disease, Department of Medicine (J.F.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna M. Randi
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme M. Birdsey
- From the National Heart and Lung Institute (V.K., Y.Y., C.R.P., K.F., A.V.S., L.O.A., J.J.B., A.M.R., G.M.B.), Imperial College London, United Kingdom
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Nagai N, Ohguchi H, Nakaki R, Matsumura Y, Kanki Y, Sakai J, Aburatani H, Minami T. Downregulation of ERG and FLI1 expression in endothelial cells triggers endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007826. [PMID: 30500808 PMCID: PMC6291168 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cell (EC) plasticity in pathological settings has recently been recognized as a driver of disease progression. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), in which ECs acquire mesenchymal properties, has been described for a wide range of pathologies, including cancer. However, the mechanism regulating EndMT in the tumor microenvironment and the contribution of EndMT in tumor progression are not fully understood. Here, we found that combined knockdown of two ETS family transcription factors, ERG and FLI1, induces EndMT coupled with dynamic epigenetic changes in ECs. Genome-wide analyses revealed that ERG and FLI1 are critical transcriptional activators for EC-specific genes, among which microRNA-126 partially contributes to blocking the induction of EndMT. Moreover, we demonstrated that ERG and FLI1 expression is downregulated in ECs within tumors by soluble factors enriched in the tumor microenvironment. These data provide new insight into the mechanism of EndMT, functions of ERG and FLI1 in ECs, and EC behavior in pathological conditions. Differentiated cells possess unique characteristics to maintain vital activities. However, cells occasionally show abnormal behavior in pathological settings due to dysregulated gene expression. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a phenomenon in which endothelial cells lose their characteristics and acquire mesenchymal-like properties. Although EndMT is observed in various diseases including cancer, and augments fibrosis and vascular defects, the mechanism of EndMT induction is not fully understood. Here, we show that EndMT is triggered via reduced expression of ERG and FLI1, which have recently been recognized as pivotal transcription factors in endothelial cells (ECs). Mechanistically, ERG and FLI1 activate EC-specific genes and repress mesenchymal-like genes via epigenetic regulation to prevent EndMT. Furthermore, we demonstrate that microRNA-126, which is specifically expressed in ECs, is the key downstream target of ERG/FLI1 for regulating EndMT. Finally, we show that ERG and FLI1 expression is decreased in ECs within tumors, suggesting that EndMT is induced in the tumor microenvironment. Collectively, these findings indicate that loss of ERG and FLI1 leads to the aberrant behavior of ECs in pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nao Nagai
- Division of Molecular and Vascular Biology, IRDA, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroto Ohguchi
- Division of Disease Epigenetics, IRDA, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakaki
- Division of Genome Sciences, RCAST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Matsumura
- Division of Metabolic Medicine, RCAST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuharu Kanki
- Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Juro Sakai
- Division of Metabolic Medicine, RCAST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Aburatani
- Division of Genome Sciences, RCAST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Minami
- Division of Molecular and Vascular Biology, IRDA, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Zhang H, Zhang S, Zhang J, Liu D, Wei J, Fang W, Zhao W, Chen Y, Shang D. ZO-1 expression is suppressed by GM-CSF via miR-96/ERG in brain microvascular endothelial cells. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2018; 38:809-822. [PMID: 28430012 PMCID: PMC5987931 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x17702668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The level of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) increases in some disorders such as vascular dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis. We previously reported that in Alzheimer's disease patients, a high level of GM-CSF in the brain parenchyma downregulated expression of ZO-1, a blood-brain barrier tight junction protein, and facilitated the infiltration of peripheral monocytes across the blood-brain barrier. However, the molecular mechanism underlying regulation of ZO-1 expression by GM-CSF is unclear. Herein, we found that the erythroblast transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factor ERG cooperated with the proto-oncogene protein c-MYC in regulation of ZO-1 transcription in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). The ERG expression was suppressed by miR-96 which was increased by GM-CSF through the phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Inhibition of miR-96 prevented ZO-1 down-regulation induced by GM-CSF both in vitro and in vivo. Our results revealed the mechanism of ZO-1 expression reduced by GM-CSF, and provided a potential target, miR-96, which could block ZO-1 down-regulation caused by GM-CSF in BMECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Zhang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Shuhong Zhang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Jilin Zhang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Dongxin Liu
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Jiayi Wei
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Wengang Fang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Weidong Zhao
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Yuhua Chen
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Deshu Shang
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Cell Biology Division, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
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Effects of lentivirus-mediated ornithine decarboxylase gene on the proliferation and apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rats with arthritis. Life Sci 2018; 194:224-230. [PMID: 28986097 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.10.004] [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: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 09/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the effects of lentivirus-mediated ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene on the proliferation and apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) in rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Twenty Lewis rats were randomized into control group (ten rats without processing) and RA group (ten rats of adjuvant-induced arthritis). The third-generation FLSs were randomized into test, control and blank groups. MTT assay and flow cytometry were employed to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin-2 (IL-2). RESULTS Lewis rats in the RA group became ill from 11days on and got seriously ill 18days after modeling. However, rats in the control group had no obvious change. MTT assay showed that the test group had higher cell proliferation than the blank and control groups (P1<0.001; P2<0.001). Flow cytometry revealed that the apoptosis of FLSs in the test group was significantly lower than that in the blank and control groups (P1<0.001; P2<0.001). ELISA showed that the test group had higher TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-2 level than the control and blank groups (all P<0.001), but no significant difference was found between the control and blank groups (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION The results indicated that overexpression of ODC gene promotes the proliferation while suppressing apoptosis of FLSs in rats with RA.
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Dynamic regulation of canonical TGFβ signalling by endothelial transcription factor ERG protects from liver fibrogenesis. Nat Commun 2017; 8:895. [PMID: 29026072 PMCID: PMC5638819 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01169-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of the endothelium in protecting from chronic liver disease and TGFβ-mediated fibrosis remains unclear. Here we describe how the endothelial transcription factor ETS-related gene (ERG) promotes liver homoeostasis by controlling canonical TGFβ-SMAD signalling, driving the SMAD1 pathway while repressing SMAD3 activity. Molecular analysis shows that ERG binds to SMAD3, restricting its access to DNA. Ablation of ERG expression results in endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and spontaneous liver fibrogenesis in EC-specific constitutive hemi-deficient (Erg cEC-Het ) and inducible homozygous deficient mice (Erg iEC-KO ), in a SMAD3-dependent manner. Acute administration of the TNF-α inhibitor etanercept inhibits carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)-induced fibrogenesis in an ERG-dependent manner in mice. Decreased ERG expression also correlates with EndMT in tissues from patients with end-stage liver fibrosis. These studies identify a pathogenic mechanism where loss of ERG causes endothelial-dependent liver fibrogenesis via regulation of SMAD2/3. Moreover, ERG represents a promising candidate biomarker for assessing EndMT in liver disease.The transcription factor ERG is key to endothelial lineage specification and vascular homeostasis. Here the authors show that ERG balances TGFβ signalling through the SMAD1 and SMAD3 pathways, protecting the endothelium from endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition and consequent liver fibrosis in mice via a SMAD3-dependent mechanism.
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Looney AP, Han R, Stawski L, Marden G, Iwamoto M, Trojanowska M. Synergistic Role of Endothelial ERG and FLI1 in Mediating Pulmonary Vascular Homeostasis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2017; 57:121-131. [PMID: 28248553 PMCID: PMC5516275 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2016-0200oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cell (EC) activation underlies many vascular diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Several members of the E-twenty six (ETS) family of transcription factors are important regulators of the gene network governing endothelial homeostasis, and their aberrant expression is associated with pathological angiogenesis. The goal of this study was to determine whether deficiencies of the ETS family member, Friend leukemia integration 1 transcription factor (FLI1), and its closest homolog, ETS-related gene (ERG), are associated with PAH. We found that endothelial ERG was significantly reduced in the lung samples from patients with PAH, as well as in chronically hypoxic mice. Functional studies revealed that depletion of ERG or FLI1 in human pulmonary ECs led to increased expression of inflammatory genes, including IFN genes, whereas genes regulating endothelial homeostasis and cell-cell adhesion were down-regulated. Simultaneous knockdown of both ERG and FLI1 had synergistic or additive effects on the expression of these genes, suggesting that ERG and FLI1 coregulate at least a subset of their target genes. Functionally, knockdown of ERG and FLI1 induced cell monolayer permeability with a potency similar to that of vascular endothelial growth factor. Notably, stimulation of ECs with Toll-like receptor 3 ligand poly(I:C) suppressed ERG expression and induced ERG dissociation from the IFNB1 promoter, while promoting signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1) recruitment. Consistent with the up-regulation of inflammatory genes seen in vitro, Erg and Fli1 double-heterozygote mice showed increased immune cell infiltration and expression of cytokines in the lung. In conclusion, loss of ERG and FLI1 might contribute to the pathogenesis of vascular lung complications through the induction of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka P. Looney
- Boston University School of Medicine, Arthritis Center/Rheumatology, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Rong Han
- Boston University School of Medicine, Arthritis Center/Rheumatology, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Lukasz Stawski
- Boston University School of Medicine, Arthritis Center/Rheumatology, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Grace Marden
- Boston University School of Medicine, Arthritis Center/Rheumatology, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Masahiro Iwamoto
- Orthopaedic Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Boston University School of Medicine, Arthritis Center/Rheumatology, Boston, Massachusetts; and
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36
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Hogan NT, Whalen MB, Stolze LK, Hadeli NK, Lam MT, Springstead JR, Glass CK, Romanoski CE. Transcriptional networks specifying homeostatic and inflammatory programs of gene expression in human aortic endothelial cells. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28585919 PMCID: PMC5461113 DOI: 10.7554/elife.22536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) are critical determinants of vascular homeostasis and inflammation, but transcriptional mechanisms specifying their identities and functional states remain poorly understood. Here, we report a genome-wide assessment of regulatory landscapes of primary human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) under basal and activated conditions, enabling inference of transcription factor networks that direct homeostatic and pro-inflammatory programs. We demonstrate that 43% of detected enhancers are EC-specific and contain SNPs associated to cardiovascular disease and hypertension. We provide evidence that AP1, ETS, and GATA transcription factors play key roles in HAEC transcription by co-binding enhancers associated with EC-specific genes. We further demonstrate that exposure of HAECs to oxidized phospholipids or pro-inflammatory cytokines results in signal-specific alterations in enhancer landscapes and associate with coordinated binding of CEBPD, IRF1, and NFκB. Collectively, these findings identify cis-regulatory elements and corresponding trans-acting factors that contribute to EC identity and their specific responses to pro-inflammatory stimuli. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.22536.001
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas T Hogan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - Michael B Whalen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
| | - Lindsey K Stolze
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
| | - Nizar K Hadeli
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
| | - Michael T Lam
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - James R Springstead
- Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering, University of Western Michigan, Kalamazoo, United States
| | - Christopher K Glass
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - Casey E Romanoski
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, United States
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Pinte S, Caetano B, Le Bras A, Havet C, Villain G, Dernayka R, Duez C, Mattot V, Soncin F. Endothelial Cell Activation Is Regulated by Epidermal Growth Factor-like Domain 7 (Egfl7) during Inflammation. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:24017-24028. [PMID: 27650497 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.731331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the blood vessel endothelium is a critical step during inflammation. Endothelial cells stimulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines play an essential part in the adhesion and extravasation of circulating leukocytes into inflamed tissues. The endothelial egfl7 gene (VE-statin) represses endothelial cell activation in tumors, and prior observations suggested that it could also participate in the regulation of endothelial cell activation during inflammation. We show here that Egfl7 expression is strongly repressed in mouse lung endothelial cells during LPS- and TNFα-induced inflammation in vivo LPS have a limited effect on Egfl7 expression by endothelial cells in vitro, whereas the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα strongly represses Egfl7 expression in endothelial cells. TNFα regulates the egfl7 gene promoter through regions located between -7585 and -5550 bp ahead of the main transcription start site and via an NF-κB-dependent mechanism. Conversely, Egfl7 regulates the response of endothelial cells to TNFα by restraining the induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin, resulting in a decreased adhesion of leukocytes onto endothelial cells stimulated by TNFα. Egfl7 regulates the expression of these adhesion molecules through the NF-κB and MEK/Erk pathways, in particular by preventing the proteasome-mediated degradation of IkBα both in non-activated endothelial cells and during activation. Egfl7 is thus an endogenous and constitutive repressor of blood vessel endothelial cell activation in normal and inflammatory conditions and participates in a loop of regulation of activation of these cells by pro-inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Pinte
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and.,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Bertrand Caetano
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and.,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Alexandra Le Bras
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and.,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Chantal Havet
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and.,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Gaëlle Villain
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and.,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Racha Dernayka
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and.,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Catherine Duez
- the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France.,U1019-UMR 8204, Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Université de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France.,UMR 8204, CNRS, F-59000 Lille, France.,U1019, INSERM, and
| | - Virginie Mattot
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and.,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Fabrice Soncin
- UMR 8161-M3T, Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis and Targeted Therapies and .,UMR 8161 and.,the Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
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Shah AV, Birdsey GM, Randi AM. Regulation of endothelial homeostasis, vascular development and angiogenesis by the transcription factor ERG. Vascul Pharmacol 2016; 86:3-13. [PMID: 27208692 PMCID: PMC5404112 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2016.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Over the last few years, the ETS transcription factor ERG has emerged as a major regulator of endothelial function. Multiple studies have shown that ERG plays a crucial role in promoting angiogenesis and vascular stability during development and after birth. In the mature vasculature ERG also functions to maintain endothelial homeostasis, by transactivating genes involved in key endothelial functions, while repressing expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Its homeostatic role is lineage-specific, since ectopic expression of ERG in non-endothelial tissues such as prostate is detrimental and contributes to oncogenesis. This review summarises the main roles and pathways controlled by ERG in the vascular endothelium, its transcriptional targets and its functional partners and the emerging evidence on the pathways regulating ERG's activity and expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti V Shah
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme M Birdsey
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna M Randi
- Vascular Sciences, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Han R, Pacifici M, Iwamoto M, Trojanowska M. Endothelial Erg expression is required for embryogenesis and vascular integrity. Organogenesis 2016; 11:75-86. [PMID: 26061019 DOI: 10.1080/15476278.2015.1031435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the ETS family of transcription factors are involved in several developmental processes including endothelial cell specification and blood vessel formation, but their exact roles remain unclear. The family member Erg is highly expressed in endothelial cells as compared to other developing cell types including chondrocytes, hematopoietic cells and mesodermal cells. To study the specific roles ERG plays in endothelial cell specification and function during early embryogenesis, we conditionally ablated it by mating ErgloxP/loxP and Tie2-Cre mice. We found that mutant embryos died by mid-gestation and that angiogenesis and vascular integrity were highly compromised. Our study reveals that ERG has essential and cell autonomous roles in endothelial cell development and blood vessel maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Han
- a Arthritis Center; Boston University School of Medicine ; Boston , MA USA
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40
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Beuerle MG, Dufton NP, Randi AM, Gould IR. Molecular dynamics studies on the DNA-binding process of ERG. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2016; 12:3600-3610. [DOI: 10.1039/c6mb00506c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Molecular dynamics study elucidating the mechanistic background of the DNA-binding process and the sequence specificity of the transcription factor ERG. Along with the biological findings the capabilities of unbiased DNA-binding simulations in combination with various means of analysis in the field of protein DNA-interactions are shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias G. Beuerle
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Chemical Biology
- Imperial College London
- South Kensington SW7 2AZ
- UK
| | - Neil P. Dufton
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences
- Hammersmith Hospital
- Imperial College London
- London W12 0NN
- UK
| | - Anna M. Randi
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences
- Hammersmith Hospital
- Imperial College London
- London W12 0NN
- UK
| | - Ian R. Gould
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Chemical Biology
- Imperial College London
- South Kensington SW7 2AZ
- UK
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41
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Hoesel B, Malkani N, Hochreiter B, Basílio J, Sughra K, Ilyas M, Schmid JA. Sequence-function correlations and dynamics of ERG isoforms. ERG8 is the black sheep of the family. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2015; 1863:205-218. [PMID: 26554849 PMCID: PMC4716293 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2015.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor ERG is known to have divergent roles. On one hand, it acts as differentiation factor of endothelial cells. On the other hand, it has pathological roles in various cancers. Genomic analyses of the ERG gene show that it gives rise to several isoforms. However, functional differences between these isoforms, representing potential reasons for distinct effects in diverse cell types have not been addressed in detail so far. We set out to investigate the major protein isoforms and found that ERG8 contains a unique C-terminus. This isoform, when expressed as GFP-fusion protein, localized mainly to the cytosol, whereas the other major isoforms (ERG1-4) were predominantly nuclear. Using site directed mutagenesis and laser scanning microscopy of live cells, we could identify nuclear localization (NLS) and nuclear export sequences (NES). These analyses indicated that ERG8 lacks a classical NLS and the DNA-binding domain, but holds an additional NES within its distinctive C-terminus. All the tested isoforms were shuttling between nucleus and cytosol and showed a high degree of mobility. ERG’s 1 to 4 were transcriptionally active on ERG-promoter elements whereas ERG8 was inactive, which is in line with the absence of a DNA-binding domain. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy revealed that ERG8 can bind to the transcriptionally active ERG’s. Knockdown of ERG8 in endothelial cells resulted in upregulation of endogenous ERG-transcriptional activity implying ERG8 as an inhibitor of the active ERG isoforms. Quantitative PCR revealed a different ratio of active ERG’s to ERG8 in cancer- versus non-transformed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Hoesel
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Naila Malkani
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Hochreiter
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - José Basílio
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Kalsoom Sughra
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Muhammad Ilyas
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes A Schmid
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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42
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Zhang C, Liu Q, Dong F, Li L, Du J, Xie Q, Hu H, Yan S, Zhou X, Li C, Lobe CG, Liu J. Catalpol downregulates vascular endothelial‑cadherin expression and induces vascular hyperpermeability. Mol Med Rep 2015; 13:373-8. [PMID: 26549479 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.4522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Catalpol, an iridiod glucoside isolated from Rehmannia glutinosa, has been reported to possess anti‑inflammatory properties. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of catalpol on vascular permeability. Using Transwell permeability assays and measurements of trans‑endothelial electrical resistance (TEER), it was demonstrated that 1 mM catalpol induces a significant increase in the permeability of the monolayers of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Western blotting and immunofluorescence demonstrated that catalpol inhibits the expression of vascular endothelial (VE)‑cadherin, the key component of adherens junctions, but not occludin, the major constituent of tight junctions. In addition, catalpol inhibits the ETS transcription factor ERG, a positive regulator of VE‑cadherin. Knockdown of ERG expression compromised the catalpol‑induced reduction of TEER in HUVECs. The present study revealed a novel effect of catalpol on vascular permeability and gave insight into the multifaceted roles of catalpol in inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiqing Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Qingfa Liu
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Fengyun Dong
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Liqun Li
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Juan Du
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Qi Xie
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Hesheng Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Suhua Yan
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Xia Zhou
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Changsheng Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | | | - Ju Liu
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
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Birdsey GM, Shah AV, Dufton N, Reynolds LE, Osuna Almagro L, Yang Y, Aspalter IM, Khan ST, Mason JC, Dejana E, Göttgens B, Hodivala-Dilke K, Gerhardt H, Adams RH, Randi AM. The endothelial transcription factor ERG promotes vascular stability and growth through Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Dev Cell 2015; 32:82-96. [PMID: 25584796 PMCID: PMC4292982 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2014.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Blood vessel stability is essential for embryonic development; in the adult, many diseases are associated with loss of vascular integrity. The ETS transcription factor ERG drives expression of VE-cadherin and controls junctional integrity. We show that constitutive endothelial deletion of ERG (Erg(cEC-KO)) in mice causes embryonic lethality with vascular defects. Inducible endothelial deletion of ERG (Erg(iEC-KO)) results in defective physiological and pathological angiogenesis in the postnatal retina and tumors, with decreased vascular stability. ERG controls the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by promoting β-catenin stability, through signals mediated by VE-cadherin and the Wnt receptor Frizzled-4. Wnt signaling is decreased in ERG-deficient endothelial cells; activation of Wnt signaling with lithium chloride, which stabilizes β-catenin levels, corrects vascular defects in Erg(cEC-KO) embryos. Finally, overexpression of ERG in vivo reduces permeability and increases stability of VEGF-induced blood vessels. These data demonstrate that ERG is an essential regulator of angiogenesis and vascular stability through Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme M Birdsey
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Aarti V Shah
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Neil Dufton
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Louise E Reynolds
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute - a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, John Vane Science Centre, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Lourdes Osuna Almagro
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Youwen Yang
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Irene M Aspalter
- Vascular Biology Laboratory, London Research Institute, Cancer Research UK, London WC2A 3PX, UK
| | - Samia T Khan
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Justin C Mason
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Elisabetta Dejana
- FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology Foundation, IFOM, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Berthold Göttgens
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome Trust and MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Kairbaan Hodivala-Dilke
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute - a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, John Vane Science Centre, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Holger Gerhardt
- Vascular Biology Laboratory, London Research Institute, Cancer Research UK, London WC2A 3PX, UK
| | - Ralf H Adams
- Department of Tissue Morphogenesis, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine and Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Anna M Randi
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Vascular Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK.
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44
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Lathen C, Zhang Y, Chow J, Singh M, Lin G, Nigam V, Ashraf YA, Yuan JX, Robbins IM, Thistlethwaite PA. ERG-APLNR axis controls pulmonary venule endothelial proliferation in pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. Circulation 2014; 130:1179-91. [PMID: 25062690 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.113.007822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease is caused by excessive cell proliferation and fibrosis, which obliterate the lumen of pulmonary venules, leading to pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular failure, and death. This condition has no effective treatment and a 5-year survival of <5%. Understanding the mechanism of this disease and designing effective therapies are urgently needed. METHODS AND RESULTS We show that mice with homozygous deletion of the Ets transcription factor Erg die between embryonic day 16.5 and 3 months of age as a result of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, capillary hemorrhage, and pancytopenia. We demonstrate that Erg binds to and serves as a transcriptional activator of the G-protein-coupled receptor gene Aplnr, the expression of which is uniquely specific for venous endothelium and that knockout of either Erg or Aplnr results in pulmonary venule-specific endothelial proliferation in vitro. We show that mice with either homozygous-global or endothelium-directed deletion of Aplnr manifest pulmonary veno-occlusive disease and right heart failure, detectable at 8 months of age. Levels of pulmonary ERG and APLNR in patients with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease undergoing lung transplantation were significantly lower than those of control subjects. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that ERG and APLNR are essential for endothelial homeostasis in venules in the lung and that perturbation in ERG-APLNR signaling is crucial for the development of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. We identify this pathway as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of this incurable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Lathen
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Yu Zhang
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Jennifer Chow
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Martanday Singh
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Grace Lin
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Vishal Nigam
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Yasser A Ashraf
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Jason X Yuan
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Ivan M Robbins
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.)
| | - Patricia A Thistlethwaite
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery (C.L., Y.Z, J.C., M.S., Y.A.A., P.A.T), Department of Pathology (G.L.), Division of Cardiology (V.N), University of California, San Diego; Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago (J.X.Y.); and Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (I.M.R.).
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45
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Li X, Jiang J, Shi S, Bligh SWA, Li Y, Jiang Y, Huang D, Ke Y, Wang S. A RG-II type polysaccharide purified from Aconitum coreanum alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB signal pathway. PLoS One 2014; 9:e99697. [PMID: 24927178 PMCID: PMC4057409 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Korean mondshood root polysaccharides (KMPS) isolated from the root of Aconitum coreanum (Lévl.) Rapaics have shown anti-inflammatory activity, which is strongly influenced by their chemical structures and chain conformations. However, the mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effect by these polysaccharides have yet to be elucidated. A RG-II polysaccharide (KMPS-2E, Mw 84.8 kDa) was isolated from KMPS and its chemical structure was characterized by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. The backbone of KMPS-2E consisted of units of [→6) -β-D-Galp (1→3)-β-L-Rhap-(1→4)-β-D-GalpA-(1→3)-β-D-Galp-(1→] with the side chain →5)-β-D-Arap (1→3, 5)-β-D-Arap (1→ attached to the backbone through O-4 of (1→3,4)-L-Rhap. T-β-D-Galp is attached to the backbone through O-6 of (1→3,6)-β-D-Galp residues and T-β-D-Ara is connected to the end group of each chain. The anti-inflammatory effects of KMPS-2E and the underlying mechanisms using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and carrageenan-induced hind paw edema were investigated. KMPS-2E (50, 100 and 200 µg/mL) inhibits iNOS, TLR4, phospho-NF-κB-p65 expression, phosphor-IKK, phosphor-IκB-α expression as well as the degradation of IκB-α and the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS and IL-6) mediated by the NF-κB signal pathways in macrophages. KMPS-2E also inhibited LPS-induced activation of NF-κB as assayed by electrophorectic mobility shift assay (EMSA) in a dose-dependent manner and it reduced NF-κB DNA binding affinity by 62.1% at 200 µg/mL. In rats, KMPS-2E (200 mg/kg) can significantly inhibit carrageenan-induced paw edema as ibuprofen (200 mg/kg) within 3 h after a single oral dose. The results indicate that KMPS-2E is a promising herb-derived drug against acute inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Li
- Teaching Experimental Center, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaye Jiang
- Teaching Experimental Center, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Songshan Shi
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai, China
| | - S. W. Annie Bligh
- Department of Complementary Medicine, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, Westminster, United Kingdom
| | - Yuan Li
- Teaching Experimental Center, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongbo Jiang
- Teaching Experimental Center, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Huang
- Teaching Experimental Center, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Ke
- Teaching Experimental Center, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shunchun Wang
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai, China
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46
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López-Corral L, Corchete LA, Sarasquete ME, Mateos MV, García-Sanz R, Fermiñán E, Lahuerta JJ, Bladé J, Oriol A, Teruel AI, Martino ML, Hernández J, Hernández-Rivas JM, Burguillo FJ, San Miguel JF, Gutiérrez NC. Transcriptome analysis reveals molecular profiles associated with evolving steps of monoclonal gammopathies. Haematologica 2014; 99:1365-72. [PMID: 24816239 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2013.087809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A multistep model has been proposed of disease progression starting in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance continuing through multiple myeloma, sometimes with an intermediate entity called smoldering myeloma, and ending in extramedullary disease. To gain further insights into the role of the transcriptome deregulation in the transition from a normal plasma cell to a clonal plasma cell, and from an indolent clonal plasma cell to a malignant plasma cell, we performed gene expression profiling in 20 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, 33 with high-risk smoldering myeloma and 41 with multiple myeloma. The analysis showed that 126 genes were differentially expressed in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, smoldering myeloma and multiple myeloma as compared to normal plasma cell. Interestingly, 17 and 9 out of the 126 significant differentially expressed genes were small nucleolar RNA molecules and zinc finger proteins. Several proapoptotic genes (AKT1 and AKT2) were down-regulated and antiapoptotic genes (APAF1 and BCL2L1) were up-regulated in multiple myeloma, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, compared to monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. When we looked for those genes progressively modulated through the evolving stages of monoclonal gammopathies, eight snoRNA showed a progressive increase while APAF1, VCAN and MEGF9 exhibited a progressive downregulation. In conclusion, our data show that although monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, smoldering myeloma and multiple myeloma are not clearly distinguishable groups according to their gene expression profiling, several signaling pathways and genes were significantly deregulated at different steps of the transformation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía López-Corral
- Servicio de Hematología del Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, IBSAL IBMCC (USAL-CSIC), Salamanca
| | - Luis Antonio Corchete
- Servicio de Hematología del Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, IBSAL IBMCC (USAL-CSIC), Salamanca
| | - María Eugenia Sarasquete
- Servicio de Hematología del Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, IBSAL IBMCC (USAL-CSIC), Salamanca
| | - María Victoria Mateos
- Servicio de Hematología del Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, IBSAL IBMCC (USAL-CSIC), Salamanca
| | - Ramón García-Sanz
- Servicio de Hematología del Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, IBSAL IBMCC (USAL-CSIC), Salamanca
| | | | | | - Joan Bladé
- Servicio de Hematología del Hospital Clinic, Barcelona
| | - Albert Oriol
- Servicio de Hematología del Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jesús F San Miguel
- Servicio de Hematología del Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, IBSAL IBMCC (USAL-CSIC), Salamanca
| | - Norma C Gutiérrez
- Servicio de Hematología del Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, IBSAL IBMCC (USAL-CSIC), Salamanca
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47
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Haskard DO, Boyle JJ, Evans PC, Mason JC, Randi AM. Cytoprotective signaling and gene expression in endothelial cells and macrophages-lessons for atherosclerosis. Microcirculation 2013; 20:203-16. [PMID: 23121167 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Accepted: 10/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the medium and large arteries driven in large part by the accumulation of oxidized low-density lipoproteins and other debris at sites rendered susceptible because of the geometry of the arterial tree. As lesions develop, they acquire a pathologic microcirculation that perpetuates lesion progression, both by providing a means for further monocyte and T-lymphocyte recruitment into the arterial wall and by the physical and chemical stresses caused by micro-hemorrhage. This review summarizes work performed in our department investigating the roles of signaling pathways, alone and in combination, that lead to specific programs of gene expression in the atherosclerotic environment. Focusing particularly on cytoprotective responses that might be enhanced therapeutically, the work has encompassed the anti-inflammatory effects of arterial laminar shear stress, mechanisms of induction of membrane inhibitors that prevent complement-mediated injury, homeostatic macrophage responses to hemorrhage, and the transcriptional mechanisms that control the stability, survival, and quiescence of endothelial monolayers. Lastly, while the field has been dominated by investigation into the mechanisms of DNA transcription, we consider the importance of parallel post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms for fine-tuning functional gene expression repertoires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorian O Haskard
- Vascular Science Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 ONN, UK.
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48
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Alvarez JI, Katayama T, Prat A. Glial influence on the blood brain barrier. Glia 2013; 61:1939-58. [PMID: 24123158 PMCID: PMC4068281 DOI: 10.1002/glia.22575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 380] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 08/13/2013] [Accepted: 08/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) is a specialized vascular structure tightly regulating central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. Endothelial cells are the central component of the BBB and control of their barrier phenotype resides on astrocytes and pericytes. Interactions between these cells and the endothelium promote and maintain many of the physiological and metabolic characteristics that are unique to the BBB. In this review we describe recent findings related to the involvement of astroglial cells, including radial glial cells, in the induction of barrier properties during embryogenesis and adulthood. In addition, we describe changes that occur in astrocytes and endothelial cells during injury and inflammation with a particular emphasis on alterations of the BBB phenotype. GLIA 2013;61:1939–1958
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Ivan Alvarez
- Neuroimmunology unit, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
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49
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Wang WL, Patel NR, Caragea M, Hogendoorn PCW, López-Terrada D, Hornick JL, Lazar AJ. Expression of ERG, an Ets family transcription factor, identifies ERG-rearranged Ewing sarcoma. Mod Pathol 2012; 25:1378-83. [PMID: 22766791 DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.2012.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
ERG gene encodes for an Ets family regulatory transcription factor and is involved in recurrent chromosomal translocations found in a subset of acute myeloid leukemias, prostate carcinomas and Ewing sarcomas. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of an ERG antibody to detect EWSR1-ERG rearranged Ewing sarcomas. A formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue microarray and whole-tissue sections from 32 genetically characterized Ewing sarcomas were examined: 22 with EWSR1-FLI1, 8 with EWSR1-ERG and 2 with EWSR1-NFATC2. Immunohistochemistry was performed using a rabbit anti-ERG monoclonal antibody directed against the C-terminus of the protein and a mouse anti-FLI1 monoclonal antibody against a FLI1 Ets domain (C-terminus) fusion protein. Immunoreactivity was graded for extent and intensity of positive tumor cell nuclei. ERG labeling was seen in 7/8 EWSR1-ERG cases (predominantly diffuse (5+), moderate to strong), while only 3/24 non-EWR1-ERG cases showed labeling (very weak). FLI1 labeling was observed in 29/31 cases regardless of fusion variant; 23 displayed diffuse (5+) strong/moderate labeling (5/7 EWSR1-ERG, 18/22 EWSR1-FLI1). Both EWSR1-NFATC2 cases had weak reactivity with FLI1 and weak or no reactivity for ERG. In conclusion, strong nuclear ERG immunoreactivity is specific for Ewing sarcomas with EWSR1-ERG rearrangement. In contrast, FLI1 was not specific to rearrangement type, likely because of cross reactivity with the highly homologous Ets DNA-binding domain present in the C-terminus of both ERG and FLI1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Lien Wang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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50
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Li CH, Liao PL, Shyu MK, Liu CW, Kao CC, Huang SH, Cheng YW, Kang JJ. Zinc oxide nanoparticles-induced intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression requires Rac1/Cdc42, mixed lineage kinase 3, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation in endothelial cells. Toxicol Sci 2012; 126:162-72. [PMID: 22166487 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfr331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The explosive development of nanotechnology has caused an increase in unintended biohazards in humans and in the ecosystem. Similar to particulate matter, nanoparticles (NPs) are strongly correlated with the increase in incidences of cardiovascular diseases, yet the mechanisms behind this correlation remain unclear. Within the testing concentrations of 0.1-10 μg/ml, which did not cause a marked drop in cell viability, zinc oxide NPs (ZnO-NPs) induced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) messenger RNA, and protein expression in both concentration- and time-dependent manner in treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). ZnO-NPs treatment cause the activation of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1)/cell division control protein 42 homolog (Cdc42) and protein accumulation of mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3), followed by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and transcription factor c-Jun activation. Induction of ICAM-1 and phosphorylation of JNK and c-Jun could be inhibited by either JNK inhibitor SP600125 or Rac guanosine triphosphatase inhibitor NSC23766 pretreatment. In addition, pretreatment with NSC23766 significantly reduced MLK3 accumulation, suggesting the involvement of Rac1/Cdc42-MLK3-JNK-c-Jun signaling in the regulation of ZnO-NPs-induced ICAM-1 expression, whereas these signaling factors were not activated in zinc oxide microparticles (ZnO-MPs)-treated HUVECs. The increase of ICAM-1 expression on ZnO-NPs-treated HUVECs enables leukocytes to adhere and has been identified as an indicator of vascular inflammation. Our data are essential for safety evaluation of the clinical usage of ZnO-NPs in daily supplements, cosmetics, and biomedicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Hao Li
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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