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Qi L, Wang F, Sun X, Li H, Zhang K, Li J. Recent advances in tissue repair of the blood-brain barrier after stroke. J Tissue Eng 2024; 15:20417314241226551. [PMID: 38304736 PMCID: PMC10832427 DOI: 10.1177/20417314241226551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The selective permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) enables the necessary exchange of substances between the brain parenchyma and circulating blood and is important for the normal functioning of the central nervous system. Ischemic stroke inflicts damage upon the BBB, triggering adverse stroke outcomes such as cerebral edema, hemorrhagic transformation, and aggravated neuroinflammation. Therefore, effective repair of the damaged BBB after stroke and neovascularization that allows for the unique selective transfer of substances from the BBB after stroke is necessary and important for the recovery of brain function. This review focuses on four important therapies that have effects of BBB tissue repair after stroke in the last seven years. Most of these new therapies show increased expression of BBB tight-junction proteins, and some show beneficial results in terms of enhanced pericyte coverage at the injured vessels. This review also briefly outlines three effective classes of approaches and their mechanisms for promoting neoangiogenesis following a stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liujie Qi
- School of Material Science and Engineering & Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Magnesium Alloy & Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Mold (Ministry of Education), Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Fei Wang
- School of Material Science and Engineering & Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Magnesium Alloy & Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Mold (Ministry of Education), Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Xiaojing Sun
- School of Material Science and Engineering & Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Magnesium Alloy & Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Mold (Ministry of Education), Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Hang Li
- School of Material Science and Engineering & Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Magnesium Alloy & Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Mold (Ministry of Education), Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Kun Zhang
- School of Life Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Jingan Li
- School of Material Science and Engineering & Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Magnesium Alloy & Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Mold (Ministry of Education), Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
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2
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Cash A, de Jager C, Brickler T, Soliman E, Ladner L, Kaloss AM, Zhu Y, Pridham KJ, Mills J, Ju J, Basso EKG, Chen M, Johnson Z, Sotiropoulos Y, Wang X, Xie H, Matson JB, Marvin EA, Theus MH. Endothelial deletion of EPH receptor A4 alters single-cell profile and Tie2/Akap12 signaling to preserve blood-brain barrier integrity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2204700120. [PMID: 37796990 PMCID: PMC10576133 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204700120] [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: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurobiological consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) result from a complex interplay of secondary injury responses and sequela that mediates chronic disability. Endothelial cells are important regulators of the cerebrovascular response to TBI. Our work demonstrates that genetic deletion of endothelial cell (EC)-specific EPH receptor A4 (EphA4) using conditional EphA4f/f/Tie2-Cre and EphA4f/f/VE-Cadherin-CreERT2 knockout (KO) mice promotes blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and tissue protection, which correlates with improved motor function and cerebral blood flow recovery following controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury. scRNAseq of capillary-derived KO ECs showed increased differential gene expression of BBB-related junctional and actin cytoskeletal regulators, namely, A-kinase anchor protein 12, Akap12, whose presence at Tie2 clustering domains is enhanced in KO microvessels. Transcript and protein analysis of CCI-injured whole cortical tissue or cortical-derived ECs suggests that EphA4 limits the expression of Cldn5, Akt, and Akap12 and promotes Ang2. Blocking Tie2 using sTie2-Fc attenuated protection and reversed Akap12 mRNA and protein levels cortical-derived ECs. Direct stimulation of Tie2 using Vasculotide, angiopoietin-1 memetic peptide, phenocopied the neuroprotection. Finally, we report a noteworthy rise in soluble Ang2 in the sera of individuals with acute TBI, highlighting its promising role as a vascular biomarker for early detection of BBB disruption. These findings describe a contribution of the axon guidance molecule, EphA4, in mediating TBI microvascular dysfunction through negative regulation of Tie2/Akap12 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Cash
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Caroline de Jager
- Translational Biology Medicine and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Thomas Brickler
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Eman Soliman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Liliana Ladner
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA24016
| | - Alexandra M. Kaloss
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Yumeng Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Kevin J. Pridham
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Jatia Mills
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Jing Ju
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | | | - Michael Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Zachary Johnson
- Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
- Epigenomics and Computational Biology Lab, Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Yianni Sotiropoulos
- Summer Veterinary Student Research Program, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Xia Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Hehuang Xie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
- Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
- Epigenomics and Computational Biology Lab, Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
- Center for Engineered Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - John B. Matson
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Eric A. Marvin
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA24016
| | - Michelle H. Theus
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
- Summer Veterinary Student Research Program, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
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3
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Ballester Roig MN, Roy PG, Hannou L, Delignat-Lavaud B, Sully Guerrier TA, Bélanger-Nelson E, Dufort-Gervais J, Mongrain V. Transcriptional regulation of the mouse EphA4, Ephrin-B2 and Ephrin-A3 genes by the circadian clock machinery. Chronobiol Int 2023; 40:983-1003. [PMID: 37551686 DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2023.2237580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Circadian rhythms originate from molecular feedback loops. In mammals, the transcription factors CLOCK and BMAL1 act on regulatory elements (i.e. E-boxes) to shape biological functions in a rhythmic manner. The EPHA4 receptor and its ligands Ephrins (EFN) are cell adhesion molecules regulating neurotransmission and neuronal morphology. Previous studies showed the presence of E-boxes in the genes of EphA4 and specific Ephrins, and that EphA4 knockout mice have an altered circadian rhythm of locomotor activity. We thus hypothesized that the core clock machinery regulates the gene expression of EphA4, EfnB2 and EfnA3. CLOCK and BMAL1 (or NPAS2 and BMAL2) were found to have transcriptional activity on distal and proximal regions of EphA4, EfnB2 and EfnA3 putative promoters. A constitutively active form of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β; a negative regulator of CLOCK and BMAL1) blocked the transcriptional induction. Mutating the E-boxes of EphA4 distal promoter sequence reduced transcriptional induction. EPHA4 and EFNB2 protein levels did not show circadian variations in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus or prefrontal cortex. The findings uncover that core circadian transcription factors can regulate the gene expression of elements of the Eph/Ephrin system, which might contribute to circadian rhythmicity in biological processes in the brain or peripheral tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Neus Ballester Roig
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pierre-Gabriel Roy
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Valérie Mongrain
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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4
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Campero-Romero AN, Real FH, Santana-Martínez RA, Molina-Villa T, Aranda C, Ríos-Castro E, Tovar-Y-Romo LB. Extracellular vesicles from neural progenitor cells promote functional recovery after stroke in mice with pharmacological inhibition of neurogenesis. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:272. [PMID: 37507361 PMCID: PMC10382527 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01561-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) of the subventricular zone proliferate in response to ischemic stroke in the adult mouse brain. Newly generated cells have been considered to influence recovery following a stroke. However, the mechanism underlying such protection is a matter of active study since it has been thought that proliferating NPCs mediate their protective effects by secreting soluble factors that promote recovery rather than neuronal replacement in the ischemic penumbra. We tested the hypothesis that this mechanism is mediated by the secretion of multimolecular complexes in extracellular vesicles (EVs). We found that the molecular influence of oxygen and glucose-deprived (OGD) NPCs-derived EVs is very limited in improving overt neurological alterations caused by stroke compared to our recently reported astrocyte-derived EVs. However, when we inhibited the ischemia-triggered proliferation of NPCs with the chronic administration of the DNA synthesis inhibitor Ara-C, the effect of NPC-derived EVs became evident, suggesting that the endogenous protection exerted by the proliferation of NPC is mainly carried out through a mechanism that involves the intercellular communication mediated by EVs. We analyzed the proteomic content of NPC-derived EVs cargo with label-free relative abundance mass spectrometry and identified several molecular mediators of neuronal recovery within these vesicles. Our findings indicate that NPC-derived EVs are protective against the ischemic cascade activated by stroke and, thus, hold significant therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aura N Campero-Romero
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Fernando H Real
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ricardo A Santana-Martínez
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Tonatiuh Molina-Villa
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Cristina Aranda
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Emmanuel Ríos-Castro
- Unidad de Genómica, Proteómica y Metabolómica, LaNSE, Cinvestav-IPN, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Luis B Tovar-Y-Romo
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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5
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Hashimoto Y, Greene C, Munnich A, Campbell M. The CLDN5 gene at the blood-brain barrier in health and disease. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:22. [PMID: 36978081 PMCID: PMC10044825 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00424-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The CLDN5 gene encodes claudin-5 (CLDN-5) that is expressed in endothelial cells and forms tight junctions which limit the passive diffusions of ions and solutes. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), composed of brain microvascular endothelial cells and associated pericytes and end-feet of astrocytes, is a physical and biological barrier to maintain the brain microenvironment. The expression of CLDN-5 is tightly regulated in the BBB by other junctional proteins in endothelial cells and by supports from pericytes and astrocytes. The most recent literature clearly shows a compromised BBB with a decline in CLDN-5 expression increasing the risks of developing neuropsychiatric disorders, epilepsy, brain calcification and dementia. The purpose of this review is to summarize the known diseases associated with CLDN-5 expression and function. In the first part of this review, we highlight the recent understanding of how other junctional proteins as well as pericytes and astrocytes maintain CLDN-5 expression in brain endothelial cells. We detail some drugs that can enhance these supports and are being developed or currently in use to treat diseases associated with CLDN-5 decline. We then summarise mutagenesis-based studies which have facilitated a better understanding of the physiological role of the CLDN-5 protein at the BBB and have demonstrated the functional consequences of a recently identified pathogenic CLDN-5 missense mutation from patients with alternating hemiplegia of childhood. This mutation is the first gain-of-function mutation identified in the CLDN gene family with all others representing loss-of-function mutations resulting in mis-localization of CLDN protein and/or attenuated barrier function. Finally, we summarize recent reports about the dosage-dependent effect of CLDN-5 expression on the development of neurological diseases in mice and discuss what cellular supports for CLDN-5 regulation are compromised in the BBB in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Hashimoto
- Trinity College Dublin, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Dublin, D02 VF25, Ireland.
| | - Chris Greene
- Trinity College Dublin, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Dublin, D02 VF25, Ireland
| | - Arnold Munnich
- Institut Imagine, INSERM UMR1163, Université Paris Cité, Paris, F-75015, France
- Departments of Pediatric Neurology and Medical Genetics, Hospital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Cité, Paris, F-75015, France
| | - Matthew Campbell
- Trinity College Dublin, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Dublin, D02 VF25, Ireland.
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6
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Zheng S, Sun F, Tian X, Zhu Z, Wang Y, Zheng W, Liu T, Wang W. Roles of Eph/ephrin signaling pathway in repair and regeneration for ischemic cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. JOURNAL OF NEURORESTORATOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnrt.2022.100040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
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7
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Ghori A, Prinz V, Nieminen-Kehlä M, Bayerl SH, Kremenetskaia I, Riecke J, Krechel H, Broggini T, Scherschinski L, Licht T, Keshet E, Vajkoczy P. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Augments the Tolerance Towards Cerebral Stroke by Enhancing Neurovascular Repair Mechanism. Transl Stroke Res 2022; 13:774-791. [PMID: 35175562 PMCID: PMC9391249 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-022-00991-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical event in the development of secondary brain injury after stroke. Among the cellular hallmarks in the acute phase after stroke are a downregulation of tight-junction molecules and the loss of microvascular pericyte coverage and endothelial sealing. Thus, a rapid repair of blood vessel integrity and re-stabilization of the BBB is considered an important strategy to reduce secondary brain damage. However, the mechanisms underlying BBB disruption remain poorly understood. Especially, the role of VEGF in this context remains inconclusive. With the conditional and reversible VEGF expression systems, we studied the time windows of deleterious and beneficial VEGF actions on blood vessel integrity in mice. Using genetic systems for gain of function and loss of function experiments, we activated and inhibited VEGF signaling prior and simultaneously to ischemic stroke onset. In both scenarios, VEGF seems to play a vital role in containing the stroke-induced damage after cerebral ischemia. We report that the transgenic overexpression of VEGF (GOF) prior to the stroke stabilizes the vasculature and prevents blood-brain barrier disruption in young and aged animals after stroke. Whereas inhibition of signals for endogenous VEGF (LOF) prior to stroke results in bigger infarction with massive brain swelling and enhanced BBB permeability, furthermore, activating or blocking VEGF signaling after ischemic stroke onset had comparable effects on BBB repair and cerebral edema. VEGF can function as an anti-permeability factor, and a VEGF-based therapy in the context of stroke prevention and recovery has an enormous potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Ghori
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitätsmedizin Charité, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Vincent Prinz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitätsmedizin Charité, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Simon. H. Bayerl
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitätsmedizin Charité, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Irina Kremenetskaia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitätsmedizin Charité, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jana Riecke
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitätsmedizin Charité, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Hanna Krechel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitätsmedizin Charité, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Broggini
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitätsmedizin Charité, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lea Scherschinski
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitätsmedizin Charité, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tamar Licht
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eli Keshet
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Peter Vajkoczy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitätsmedizin Charité, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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Su K, Hao W, Lv Z, Wu M, Li J, Hu Y, Zhang Z, Gao J, Feng X. Electroacupuncture of Baihui and Shenting ameliorates cognitive deficits via Pten/Akt pathway in a rat cerebral ischemia injury model. Front Neurol 2022; 13:855362. [PMID: 36062010 PMCID: PMC9437581 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.855362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral ischemic stroke is a huge threat to the health and life of many people. Electroacupuncture (EA) at Baihui (GV20) and Shenting (GV24) acupoints can notably alleviate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI). However, the molecular basis underlying the effectiveness of EA at the GV20 and GV24 acupoints for CIRI remains largely unknown. Our present study demonstrated that EA treatment at the GV20 and GV24 acupoints markedly alleviated middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R)-induced cognitive deficits and cerebral infarction in rats. Proteomics analysis revealed that 195 and 218 proteins were dysregulated in rat hippocampal tissues in the MCAO/R vs. sham group and thhhe EA vs. MCAO/R group, respectively. Moreover, 62 proteins with converse alteration trends in MCAO/R vs. sham and EA vs. MCAO/R groups were identified. These proteins might be implicated in the EA-mediated protective effect against MCAO/R-induced cerebral injury. GO enrichment analysis showed that 39 dysregulated proteins in the MCAO/R vs. sham group and 40 dysregulated proteins in the EA vs. MCAO/R group were related to brain and nerve development. Protein–protein interaction analysis of the abovementioned dysregulated proteins associated with brain and nerve development suggested that Pten/Akt pathway-related proteins might play major roles in regulating EA-mediated protective effects against MCAO/R-induced brain and nerve injury. Western blot assays demonstrated that Pak4, Akt3, and Efnb2 were expressed at low levels in the MCAO/R group vs. the sham group but at high levels in the EA group vs. the MCAO/R group. In conclusion, multiple proteins related to the protective effect of EA at the GV20 and GV24 acupoints against CIRI were identified in our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiqi Su
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- Rehabilitation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wenxue Hao
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhuan Lv
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- Rehabilitation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mingli Wu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- Rehabilitation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jieying Li
- College of Basic Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanchao Hu
- Rehabilitation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhenhua Zhang
- Rehabilitation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- Rehabilitation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Gao
| | - Xiaodong Feng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- Rehabilitation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- Xiaodong Feng
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9
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Bicvic A, Scherrer N, Schweizer J, Fluri F, Christ-Crain M, De Marchis GM, Luft AR, Katan M. A novel biomarker panel index improves risk stratification after ischemic stroke. Eur Stroke J 2022; 7:158-165. [PMID: 35647313 PMCID: PMC9134784 DOI: 10.1177/23969873221090798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: We investigated 92 blood biomarkers implicated in the pathophysiological pathways of ischemic injury, inflammation, hemostasis, and regulation of vascular resistance to predict post-stroke mortality. Aim: Based on the most promising markers, we aimed to create a novel Biomarker Panel Index (BPI) for risk stratification. Methods: In this prospective study, we measured 92 biomarkers in 320 stroke patients. The primary outcome measure was mortality within 90 days. We estimated the association of each biomarker using logistic regression adjusting for multiple testing. The most significant 16 biomarkers were used to create the BPI. We fitted regression models to estimate the association and the discriminatory accuracy of the BPI with mortality and stroke etiology. Results: Adjusted for demographic and vascular covariates, the BPI remained independently associated with mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29–2.18) and cardioembolic stroke etiology (OR 1.38, 95% CI: 1.10–1.74), and improved the discriminatory accuracy to predict mortality (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) 0.93, 95% CI: 0.89–0.96) and cardioembolic stroke etiology (AUC 0.70, 95% CI: 0.64–0.77) as compared to the best clinical prediction models alone (AUC 0.89, 95% CI: 0.84–0.94 and AUC 0.66, 95% CI: 0.60-0.73, respectively). Conclusions: We identified a novel BPI improving risk stratification for mortality after ischemic stroke beyond established demographic and vascular risk factors. Furthermore, the BPI is associated with underlying cardioembolic stroke etiology. These results need external validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonela Bicvic
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Natalie Scherrer
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Juliane Schweizer
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Felix Fluri
- Department of Neurology, SRO Gesundheitszentrum, Bad Wimpfen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mirjam Christ-Crain
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gian Marco De Marchis
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas R Luft
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mira Katan
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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10
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Song K, Zeng X, Xie X, Zhu R, Liang J, Chen G, Huang L. Dl-3-n-butylphthalide attenuates brain injury caused by cortical infarction accompanied by cranial venous drainage disturbance. Stroke Vasc Neurol 2022; 7:222-236. [PMID: 35101948 PMCID: PMC9240610 DOI: 10.1136/svn-2021-001308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cerebral venous disorder may have a harmful effect on ischaemic stroke; however, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Although Dl-3-n-butylphthalide is a multitarget agent for antiischaemic stroke, its neuroprotective role in brain ischaemia accompanied by brain venous disturbance remains unclear. In this study, we induced cerebral venous disturbance by the occlusion of bilateral external jugular veins (EJVs) to explore the potential mechanism of the adverse effects of cerebrovenous disorders in cerebral infarction and explore the protective effect of Dl-3-n-butylphthalide on cerebral infarction accompanied through cerebral venous disturbance. Methods Cerebral venous disturbance was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats through the permanent occlusion of bilateral EJVs, and cerebral ischaemic stroke was induced through the permanent occlusion of the right cortical branches of the middle cerebral artery. 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, MRI, Evans blue extravasation and behavioural test were performed to evaluate infarction volume, cerebral blood flow (CBF), blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity and neurological function. Immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis were performed to detect loss of neuron, endothelial cells, pericytes and tight junctions. Results Bilateral EJVs occlusion did not cause cerebral infarction; however, it increased the infarction volume compared with the simple middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group, accompanied by severe neuron loss, worse neurological function, lower CBF, increased EJVs pressure, exacerbated Evans blue extravasation and brain oedema, as well as attenuated angiogenesis. Dl-3-n-butylphthalide displayed a neuroprotective effect in rats with MCAO accompanied by EJVs occlusion by reducing neuron loss, accelerating CBF restoration, promoting angiogenesis and relieving BBB damage. Conclusion Bilateral EJVs occlusion did not significantly affect normal rats but aggravated brain damage in the case of ischaemic stroke. Dl-3-n-butylphthalide treatment plays a neuroprotective role in rats with MCAO accompanied by EJVs occlusion, mainly due to the promotion of CBF restoration and BBB protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangping Song
- Department of Neurology, Jinan University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiuli Zeng
- Department of Neurology, Jinan University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomei Xie
- Department of Neurology, Jinan University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rongxuan Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Jinan University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianye Liang
- Medical Imaging Center, Jinan University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guobing Chen
- Institute of Geriatric Immunology, Medical college of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li'an Huang
- Department of Neurology, Jinan University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China
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11
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Wang J, Zhang Z, Fu S, Li X, Li X, Wang S, Yuan L. Overexpression of EphB4 promotes neurogenesis, but inhibits neuroinflammation in mice with acute ischemic stroke. Mol Med Rep 2021; 24:756. [PMID: 34476505 PMCID: PMC8436223 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is one of the most common diseases that has a high rate of mortality, and has become a burden to the healthcare system. Previous research has shown that EPH receptor B4 (EphB4) promotes neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro. However, little is known regarding its role in the neurogenesis of ischemic stroke in vivo. Thus, the present study aimed to verify whether EphB4 was a key regulator of neurogenesis in ischemic stroke in vivo. Cerebral ischemia was induced in C57BL/6J mice via middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), followed by reperfusion. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate the effect of EphB4 on the neurogenesis in cerebral cortex. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were determined using an ELISA kit. The expression levels of ABL proto-oncogene 1, non-receptor tyrosine kinase (ABL1)/Cyclin D1 signaling pathway-related proteins were detected via western blotting. The current findings indicated that EphB4 expression was significantly increased in the cerebral cortex of MCAO model mice in comparison with sham-operated mice. Moreover, EphB4 appeared to be expressed in neural stem cells (Nestin+), and persisted as these cells became neuronal progenitors (Sox2+), neuroblasts [doublecortin (DCX)+], and eventually mature neurons [neuronal nuclei (NeuN)+]. Overexpression of EphB4 elevated the number of proliferating (bromodeoxyuridine+, Ki67+) and differentiated cells (Nestin+, Sox2+, DCX+ and NeuN+), indicating the promoting effect of EphB4 on the neurogenesis of ischemic stroke. Furthermore, EphB4 overexpression alleviated the inflammation injury in MCAO model mice. The expression levels of proteins-related to the ABL1/Cyclin D1 signaling pathway were significantly increased by the overexpression of EphB4, which suggested that restoration of EphB4 promoted the activation of the ABL1/Cyclin D1 signaling pathway. In conclusion, this study contributes to the current understanding of the mechanisms of EphB4 in exerting neurorestorative effects and may recommend a potential new strategy for ischemic stroke treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Inner Mongolia Baogang Hospital, Baotou, Inner Mongolia 014010, P.R. China
| | - Zun Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Inner Mongolia Baogang Hospital, Baotou, Inner Mongolia 014010, P.R. China
| | - Shaojing Fu
- Department of Neurology, Inner Mongolia Baogang Hospital, Baotou, Inner Mongolia 014010, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojie Li
- Department of Neurology, Inner Mongolia Baogang Hospital, Baotou, Inner Mongolia 014010, P.R. China
| | - Xinhui Li
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Baotou, Inner Mongolia 014016, P.R. China
| | - Shaobin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Inner Mongolia Baogang Hospital, Baotou, Inner Mongolia 014010, P.R. China
| | - Lihe Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Inner Mongolia Baogang Hospital, Baotou, Inner Mongolia 014010, P.R. China
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12
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Yoon Y, Voloudakis G, Doran N, Zhang E, Dimovasili C, Chen L, Shao Z, Darmanis S, Tang C, Tang J, Wang VX, Hof PR, Robakis NK, Georgakopoulos A. PS1 FAD mutants decrease ephrinB2-regulated angiogenic functions, ischemia-induced brain neovascularization and neuronal survival. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:1996-2012. [PMID: 32541930 PMCID: PMC7736163 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0812-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Microvascular pathology and ischemic lesions contribute substantially to neuronal dysfunction and loss that lead to Alzheimer disease (AD). To facilitate recovery, the brain stimulates neovascularization of damaged tissue via sprouting angiogenesis, a process regulated by endothelial cell (EC) sprouting and the EphB4/ephrinB2 system. Here, we show that in cultures of brain ECs, EphB4 stimulates the VE-cadherin/Rok-α angiogenic complexes known to mediate sprouting angiogenesis. Importantly, brain EC cultures expressing PS1 FAD mutants decrease the EphB4-stimulated γ-secretase cleavage of ephrinB2 and reduce production of the angiogenic peptide ephrinB2/CTF2, the VE-cadherin angiogenic complexes and EC sprouting and tube formation. These data suggest that FAD mutants may attenuate ischemia-induced brain angiogenesis. Supporting this hypothesis, ischemia-induced VE-cadherin angiogenic complexes, levels of neoangiogenesis marker Endoglin, vascular density, and cerebral blood flow recovery, are all decreased in brains of mouse models expressing PS1 FAD mutants. Ischemia-induced brain neuronal death and cognitive deficits also increase in these mice. Furthermore, a small peptide comprising the C-terminal sequence of peptide ephrinB2/CTF2 rescues angiogenic functions of brain ECs expressing PS1 FAD mutants. Together, our data show that PS1 FAD mutations impede the EphB4/ephrinB2-mediated angiogenic functions of ECs and impair brain neovascularization, neuronal survival and cognitive recovery following ischemia. Furthermore, our data reveal a novel brain angiogenic mechanism targeted by PS1 FAD mutants and a potential therapeutic target for ischemia-induced neurodegeneration. Importantly, FAD mutant effects occur in absence of neuropathological hallmarks of AD, supporting that such hallmarks may form downstream of mutant effects on neoangiogenesis and neuronal survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- YoneJung Yoon
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetics of Neurodegeneration, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Georgios Voloudakis
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetics of Neurodegeneration, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nathan Doran
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetics of Neurodegeneration, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emily Zhang
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetics of Neurodegeneration, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christina Dimovasili
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetics of Neurodegeneration, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Zhiping Shao
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Spyros Darmanis
- Departments of Bioengineering and Applied Physics, Stanford University and Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Cheuk Tang
- Department of Radiology, Neuroscience and Psychiatry Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jun Tang
- Department of Radiology, Neuroscience and Psychiatry Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Victoria X Wang
- Department of Radiology, Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patrick R Hof
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nikolaos K Robakis
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetics of Neurodegeneration, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Anastasios Georgakopoulos
- Center for Molecular Biology and Genetics of Neurodegeneration, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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13
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Yu R, Kim NS, Li Y, Jeong JY, Park SJ, Zhou B, Oh WJ. Vascular Sema3E-Plexin-D1 Signaling Reactivation Promotes Post-stroke Recovery through VEGF Downregulation in Mice. Transl Stroke Res 2021; 13:142-159. [PMID: 33978913 PMCID: PMC8766426 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-021-00914-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Post-stroke vascular remodeling, including angiogenesis, facilitates functional recovery. Proper vascular repair is important for efficient post-stroke recovery; however, the underlying mechanisms coordinating the diverse signaling pathways involved in vascular remodeling remain largely unknown. Recently, axon guidance molecules were revealed as key players in injured vessel remodeling. One such molecule, Semaphorin 3E (Sema3E), and its receptor, Plexin-D1, control vascular development by regulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. In this study, using a mouse model of transient brain infarction, we aimed to investigate whether Sema3E-Plexin-D1 signaling was involved in cerebrovascular remodeling after ischemic injury. We found that ischemic damage rapidly induced Sema3e expression in the neurons of peri-infarct regions, followed by Plexin-D1 upregulation in remodeling vessels. Interestingly, Plexin-D1 reemergence was concurrent with brain vessels entering an active angiogenic process. In line with this, Plxnd1 ablation worsened neurological deficits, infarct volume, neuronal survival rate, and blood flow recovery. Furthermore, reduced and abnormal vascular morphogenesis was caused by aberrantly increased VEGF signaling. In Plxnd1 knockout mice, we observed significant extravasation of intravenously administered tracers in the brain parenchyma, junctional protein downregulation, and mislocalization in regenerating vessels. This suggested that the absence of Sema3E-Plexin-D1 signaling is associated with blood–brain barrier (BBB) impairment. Finally, the abnormal behavioral performance, aberrant vascular phenotype, and BBB breakdown defects in Plxnd1 knockout mice were restored following the inhibition of VEGF signaling during vascular remodeling. These findings demonstrate that Sema3E-Plexin-D1 signaling can promote functional recovery by downregulating VEGF signaling in the injured adult brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ri Yu
- Neurovascular Biology Laboratory, Neurovascular Unit Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-Suk Kim
- Neurovascular Biology Laboratory, Neurovascular Unit Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Yan Li
- Neurovascular Biology Laboratory, Neurovascular Unit Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Young Jeong
- Neurovascular Biology Laboratory, Neurovascular Unit Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Joon Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Bin Zhou
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Won-Jong Oh
- Neurovascular Biology Laboratory, Neurovascular Unit Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea.
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14
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Augestad IL, Dekens D, Karampatsi D, Elabi O, Zabala A, Pintana H, Larsson M, Nyström T, Paul G, Darsalia V, Patrone C. Normalisation of glucose metabolism by exendin-4 in the chronic phase after stroke promotes functional recovery in male diabetic mice. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:677-694. [PMID: 33973246 PMCID: PMC8820185 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor activation decreases stroke risk in people with Type 2 diabetes (T2D), while animal studies have shown the efficacy of this strategy to counteract stroke-induced acute brain damage. However, whether GLP-1 receptor activation also improves recovery in the chronic phase after stroke is unknown. We investigated whether post-acute, chronic administration of the GLP-1 receptor agonist, exendin-4, improves post-stroke recovery and examined possible underlying mechanisms in T2D and non-T2D mice. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We induced stroke via transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in T2D/obese mice (8 months of high-fat diet) and age-matched controls. Exendin-4 was administered for 8 weeks from Day 3 post-tMCAO. We assessed functional recovery by weekly upper-limb grip strength tests. Insulin sensitivity and glycaemia were evaluated at 4 and 8 weeks post-tMCAO. Neuronal survival, stroke-induced neurogenesis, neuroinflammation, atrophy of GABAergic parvalbumin+ interneurons, post-stroke vascular remodelling and fibrotic scar formation were investigated by immunohistochemistry. KEY RESULTS Exendin-4 normalised T2D-induced impairment of forepaw grip strength recovery in correlation with normalised glycaemia and insulin sensitivity. Moreover, exendin-4 counteracted T2D-induced atrophy of parvalbumin+ interneurons and decreased microglia activation. Finally, exendin-4 normalised density and pericyte coverage of micro-vessels and restored fibrotic scar formation in T2D mice. In non-T2D mice, the exendin-4-mediated recovery was minor. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Chronic GLP-1 receptor activation mediates post-stroke functional recovery in T2D mice by normalising glucose metabolism and improving neuroplasticity and vascular remodelling in the recovery phase. The results warrant clinical trial of GLP-1 receptor agonists for rehabilitation after stroke in T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Lovise Augestad
- NeuroCardioMetabol Group, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Internal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Doortje Dekens
- NeuroCardioMetabol Group, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Internal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dimitra Karampatsi
- NeuroCardioMetabol Group, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Internal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Osama Elabi
- Translational Neurology Group, Department of Clinical Sciences, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Alexander Zabala
- NeuroCardioMetabol Group, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Internal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hiranya Pintana
- NeuroCardioMetabol Group, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Internal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Larsson
- NeuroCardioMetabol Group, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Internal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Nyström
- NeuroCardioMetabol Group, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Internal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gesine Paul
- Translational Neurology Group, Department of Clinical Sciences, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Vladimer Darsalia
- NeuroCardioMetabol Group, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Internal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cesare Patrone
- NeuroCardioMetabol Group, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Internal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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15
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Fosse JH, Haraldsen G, Falk K, Edelmann R. Endothelial Cells in Emerging Viral Infections. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:619690. [PMID: 33718448 PMCID: PMC7943456 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.619690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
There are several reasons to consider the role of endothelial cells in COVID-19 and other emerging viral infections. First, severe cases of COVID-19 show a common breakdown of central vascular functions. Second, SARS-CoV-2 replicates in endothelial cells. Third, prior deterioration of vascular function exacerbates disease, as the most common comorbidities of COVID-19 (obesity, hypertension, and diabetes) are all associated with endothelial dysfunction. Importantly, SARS-CoV-2's ability to infect endothelium is shared by many emerging viruses, including henipaviruses, hantavirus, and highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, all specifically targeting endothelial cells. The ability to infect endothelium appears to support generalised dissemination of infection and facilitate the access to certain tissues. The disturbed vascular function observed in severe COVID-19 is also a prominent feature of many other life-threatening viral diseases, underscoring the need to understand how viruses modulate endothelial function. We here review the role of vascular endothelial cells in emerging viral infections, starting with a summary of endothelial cells as key mediators and regulators of vascular and immune responses in health and infection. Next, we discuss endotheliotropism as a possible virulence factor and detail features that regulate viruses' ability to attach to and enter endothelial cells. We move on to review how endothelial cells detect invading viruses and respond to infection, with particular focus on pathways that may influence vascular function and the host immune system. Finally, we discuss how endothelial cell function can be dysregulated in viral disease, either by viral components or as bystander victims of overshooting or detrimental inflammatory and immune responses. Many aspects of how viruses interact with the endothelium remain poorly understood. Considering the diversity of such mechanisms among different emerging viruses allows us to highlight common features that may be of general validity and point out important challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guttorm Haraldsen
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Pathology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Knut Falk
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Norway.,AquaMed Consulting AS, Oslo, Norway
| | - Reidunn Edelmann
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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16
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Koyama Y, Tsuboi S, Mizogui F. Endothelin-1 decreases the expression of Ephrin-A and B subtypes in cultured rat astrocytes through ET B receptors. Neurosci Lett 2021; 741:135393. [PMID: 33279571 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Ephrin family proteins are cell surface molecules that regulate several cellular functions through cell-cell interactions. During nervous tissue repair after injury, the expression of ephrin subtypes in astrocytes is altered, affecting the axonal elongation and migration of neuronal precursors. However, the mechanism regulating the expression of ephrin subtypes in astrocytes has not been investigated. Herein, we studied the effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on the expression of ephrin subtypes in cultured rat astrocytes. Our results showed that ET-1 (100 nM) treatment for 1-24 h reduced the expression of ephrin-A2, -A4, -B2, and -B3 mRNA and protein in astrocytes, whereas the expression of ephrin-A1, -A3, -A5, and -B1 mRNA were not affected. Sarafotoxin S6c, a selective ETB receptor agonist, decreased the expression of ephrin-A2, -A4, -B2, and -B3 in cultured astrocytes. The decrease in ephrin-A2, -A4, -B2, and -B3 expression by ET-1 treatment was reduced in the presence of BQ788, an ETB receptor antagonist, while FR139317, an ETA receptor antagonist, had no effects. These results suggest that ET-1 is a signaling molecule that downregulates ephrin-A2, -A4, -B2, and -B3 expression in astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Koyama
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1 Motoyama-Kita Higashinada, Kobe 668-8558 Japan.
| | - Sayaka Tsuboi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1 Motoyama-Kita Higashinada, Kobe 668-8558 Japan
| | - Fuka Mizogui
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1 Motoyama-Kita Higashinada, Kobe 668-8558 Japan
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17
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Network Pharmacology-Based Prediction of Catalpol and Mechanisms against Stroke. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:2541316. [PMID: 33505489 PMCID: PMC7810528 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2541316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Aim To apply the network pharmacology method to screen the target of catalpol prevention and treatment of stroke, and explore the pharmacological mechanism of Catalpol prevention and treatment of stroke. Methods PharmMapper, GeneCards, DAVID, and other databases were used to find key targets. We selected hub protein and catalpol which were screened for molecular docking verification. Based on the results of molecular docking, the ITC was used to determine the binding coefficient between the highest scoring protein and catalpol. The GEO database and ROC curve were used to evaluate the correlation between key targets. Results 27 key targets were obtained by mapping the predicted catalpol-related targets to the disease. Hub genes (ALB, CASP3, MAPK1 (14), MMP9, ACE, KDR, etc.) were obtained in the key target PPI network. The results of KEGG enrichment analysis showed that its signal pathway was involved in angiogenic remodeling such as VEGF, neurotrophic factors, and inflammation. The results of molecular docking showed that ACE had the highest docking score. Therefore, the ITC was used for the titration of ACE and catalpol. The results showed that catalpol had a strong binding force with ACE. Conclusion Network pharmacology combined with molecular docking predicts key genes, proteins, and signaling pathways for catalpol in treating stroke. The strong binding force between catalpol and ACE was obtained by using ITC, and the results of molecular docking were verified to lay the foundation for further research on the effect of catalpol on ACE. ROC results showed that the AUC values of the key targets are all >0.5. This article uses network pharmacology to provide a reference for a more in-depth study of catalpol's mechanism and experimental design.
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18
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Wang L, Xiong X, Zhang L, Shen J. Neurovascular Unit: A critical role in ischemic stroke. CNS Neurosci Ther 2021; 27:7-16. [PMID: 33389780 PMCID: PMC7804897 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke (IS), a common cerebrovascular disease, results from a sudden blockage of a blood vessel in the brain, thereby restricting blood supply to the area in question, and making a significantly negative impact on human health. Unfortunately, current treatments, that are mainly based on a recanalization of occluded blood vessels, are insufficient or inaccessible to many stroke patients. Recently, the profound influence of the neurovascular unit (NVU) on recanalization and the prognosis of IS have become better understood; in‐depth studies of the NVU have also provided novel approaches for IS treatment. In this article, we review the intimate connections between the changes in the NVU and IS outcomes, and discuss possible new management strategies having practical significance to IS. We discuss the concept of the NVU, as well as its roles in IS blood‐brain barrier regulation, cell preservation, inflammatory immune response, and neurovascular repair. Besides, we also summarize the influence of noncoding RNAs in NVU, and IS therapies targeting the NVU. We conclude that both the pathophysiological and neurovascular repair processes of IS are strongly associated with the homeostatic state of the NVU and that further research into therapies directed at the NVU could expand the range of treatments available for IS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyun Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengzhou People's Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University Shengzhou Branch), Shengzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxing Xiong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Luyuan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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19
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Yuan C, Ni L, Zhang C, Xia H, Wu X. Ephrin B2 mediates high glucose induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in human aortic endothelial cells. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther 2020; 10:778-785. [PMID: 32968633 DOI: 10.21037/cdt-20-299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background Previous study revealed that high glucose (HG) induced endothelial cell (EC) damage via endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). Recent studies suggested the role of Ephrin B2 in mediate ECs damage. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether Ephrin B2 mediates HG-induced EndMT in human aortic ECs (HAECs) and to determine the possible downstream signaling effector. Methods Primary HAECs were exposed to normal glucose (NG, 5.5 mM), HG (30 mM) and HG+Ephrin B2 small interfering RNA (siRNA), respectively. The pathological changes were investigated by light microscope and confocal microscopy. To study the effects of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation on Ephrin B2 in HAECs, cells were incubated with FAK siRNA in HG group. The expression of EndMT-related markers (CD31 and FSP1), Ephrin B2 and FAK were detected by qRT-PCR and western blot. Results The results showed that HG significantly inhibited the expression of CD31 and increased FSP1 compared with NG group. Moreover, Ephrin B2 was increased after HG incubation. Ephrin B2 siRNA attenuated HG-induced expression of EndMT-related markers. Furthermore, HG increased the expression of FAK and phosphorylated FAK (pho-FAK) in HAECs. In contrast, blocking Ephrin B2 could partially attenuate HG-induced FAK activation. And FAK siRNA further inhibited the EndMT-related markers in HAECs treated with HG. Conclusions HG-induced EndMT in HAECs might be partially mediated by Ephrin B2 and the downstream FAK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Yuan
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lihua Ni
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Changjiang Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, China.,Cardiovascular Disease Center, Enshi Central Hospital, Enshi, China
| | - Hao Xia
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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20
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Vreeken D, Zhang H, van Zonneveld AJ, van Gils JM. Ephs and Ephrins in Adult Endothelial Biology. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165623. [PMID: 32781521 PMCID: PMC7460586 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Eph receptors and their ephrin ligands are important guidance molecules during neurological and vascular development. In recent years, it has become clear that the Eph protein family remains functional in adult physiology. A subset of Ephs and ephrins is highly expressed by endothelial cells. As endothelial cells form the first barrier between the blood and surrounding tissues, maintenance of a healthy endothelium is crucial for tissue homeostasis. This review gives an overview of the current insights of the role of ephrin ligands and receptors in endothelial function and leukocyte recruitment in the (patho)physiology of adult vascular biology.
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21
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Zheng Z, Chopp M, Chen J. Multifaceted roles of pericytes in central nervous system homeostasis and disease. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2020; 40:1381-1401. [PMID: 32208803 PMCID: PMC7308511 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x20911331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pericytes, the mural cells surrounding microcirculation, are gaining increasing attention for their roles in health and disease of the central nervous system (CNS). As an essential part of the neurovascular unit (NVU), pericytes are actively engaged in interactions with neighboring cells and work in synergy with them to maintain homeostasis of the CNS, such as maintaining the blood-brain barrier (BBB), regulating cerebral blood flow (CBF) and the glymphatic system as well as mediating immune responses. However, the dysfunction of pericytes may contribute to the progression of various pathologies. In this review, we discuss: (1) origin of pericytes and different pericyte markers; (2) interactions of pericytes with endothelial cells (ECs), astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and neurons; (3) physiological roles of pericytes in the CNS; (4) effects of pericytes in different CNS diseases; (5) relationship of pericytes with extracellular vesicles (EVs) and microRNAs (miRs); (6) recent advances in pericytes studies and future perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhitong Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Michael Chopp
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
| | - Jieli Chen
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
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22
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Elgebaly MM. Ephrin-Eph Signaling as a Novel Neuroprotection Path in Ischemic Stroke. J Mol Neurosci 2020; 70:2001-2006. [PMID: 32488844 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-020-01603-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The search for novel neuroprotection strategies in ischemic stroke continues, as revascularization using tissue-plasminogen activator is the only pharmacological method currently available to patients. The purpose of this review article is to summarize research findings regarding the erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor pathway as an emerging novel molecular target for neuroprotection in ischemic stroke. Ephrin-Eph interactions represent a new strategy in neuroprotection. Potential therapeutic targets include the different cellular locations within the neurovascular unit (e.g. astrocytes and neurons) and the different ephrin receptor subtypes. In particular, ephrin-B2/EphB4 receptor stimulation seems to exert neuroprotective effects, while stimulation of other ligands/receptors results in deleterious effects, during the post-ischemic stroke recovery phase. Neuroprotection, assessed by either a decrease in neurovascular unit injury markers or improvement in motor function tests, can be achieved by modulating the activity of different ephrin-Eph receptor subtypes. These novel molecular targets provide multiple potential neuroprotective therapeutic benefits, with meaningful clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa M Elgebaly
- College of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Larkin University, 18301 N Miami ave, Miami, FL, 33169, USA.
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23
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Harnessing the Power of Eph/ephrin Biosemiotics for Theranostic Applications. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13060112. [PMID: 32492868 PMCID: PMC7345574 DOI: 10.3390/ph13060112] [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: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive basic biological knowledge of the Eph/ephrin system in the physiologic setting is needed to facilitate an understanding of its role and the effects of pathological processes on its activity, thereby paving the way for development of prospective therapeutic targets. To this end, this review briefly addresses what is currently known and being investigated in order to highlight the gaps and possible avenues for further investigation to capitalize on their diverse potential.
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24
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Xing S, Pan N, Xu W, Zhang J, Li J, Dang C, Liu G, Pei Z, Zeng J. EphrinB2 activation enhances angiogenesis, reduces amyloid-β deposits and secondary damage in thalamus at the early stage after cortical infarction in hypertensive rats. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2019; 39:1776-1789. [PMID: 29624118 PMCID: PMC6727142 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x18769188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral infarction causes secondary neurodegeneration and angiogenesis in thalamus, which impacts functional recovery after stroke. Here, we hypothesize that activation of ephrinB2 could stimulate angiogenesis and restore the secondary neurodegeneration in thalamus after cerebral infarction. Focal cerebral infarction was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Secondary damage, angiogenesis, amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits, levels of ephrinB2 and receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) in the ipsilateral thalamus were determined by immunofluorescence and immunoblot. The contribution of ephrinB2 to angiogenesis was determined by siRNA-mediated knockdown of ephrinB2 and pharmacological activation of ephrinB2. The results showed that formation of new vessels and ephrinB2 expression was markedly increased in the ipsilateral thalamus at seven days after MCAO. EphrinB2 knockdown markedly suppressed angiogenesis coinciding with increased Aβ accumulation, neuronal loss and gliosis in the ipsilateral thalamus. In contrast, clustered EphB2-Fc significantly enhanced angiogenesis, alleviated Aβ accumulation and the secondary thalamic damage, which was accompanied by accelerated function recovery. Additionally, activation of ephrinB2 significantly reduced RAGE levels in the ipsilateral thalamus. Our findings suggest that activation of ephrinB2 promotes angiogenesis, ameliorates Aβ accumulation and the secondary thalamic damage after cerebral infarction. Additionally, RAGE might be involved in Aβ clearance by activating ephrinB2 in the thalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihui Xing
- 1 Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nannan Pan
- 2 Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Xu
- 1 Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- 1 Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- 1 Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chao Dang
- 1 Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gang Liu
- 1 Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhong Pei
- 1 Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinsheng Zeng
- 1 Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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25
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Lu HS, Schmidt AM, Hegele RA, Mackman N, Rader DJ, Weber C, Daugherty A. Reporting Sex and Sex Differences in Preclinical Studies. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2019; 38:e171-e184. [PMID: 30354222 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.118.311717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hong S Lu
- From the Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington (H.S.L., A.D.)
| | - Ann Marie Schmidt
- Diabetes Research Program, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY (A.M.S.)
| | - Robert A Hegele
- Department of Medicine and Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada (R.A.H.)
| | - Nigel Mackman
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (N.M.)
| | - Daniel J Rader
- Department of Medicine (D.J.R.), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.,Department of Genetics (D.J.R.), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Christian Weber
- Department of Medicine, Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany (C.W.).,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany (C.W.)
| | - Alan Daugherty
- From the Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington (H.S.L., A.D.)
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26
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Refueling the Ischemic CNS: Guidance Molecules for Vascular Repair. Trends Neurosci 2019; 42:644-656. [PMID: 31285047 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Stroke patients have only limited therapeutic options and often remain with considerable disabilities. To promote neurological recovery, angiogenesis in the ischemic peri-infarct region has been recognized as an encouraging therapeutic target. Despite advances in mechanistic understanding of vascular growth and repair, effective and safe angiogenic treatments are currently missing. Besides the most intensively studied angiogenic growth factors, recent research has indicated that the process of vascular sprouting and migration also requires the participation of guidance molecules, many of which were initially identified as regulators of axonal growth. Here, we review the inhibitory and growth-promoting effects of guidance molecules on the vascular system and discuss their potential as novel angiogenic targets for neurovascular diseases.
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27
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Nogo-A targeted therapy promotes vascular repair and functional recovery following stroke. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:14270-14279. [PMID: 31235580 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1905309116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a major cause of serious disability due to the brain's limited capacity to regenerate damaged tissue and neuronal circuits. After ischemic injury, a multiphasic degenerative and inflammatory response is coupled with severely restricted vascular and neuronal repair, resulting in permanent functional deficits. Although clinical evidence indicates that revascularization of the ischemic brain regions is crucial for functional recovery, no therapeutics that promote angiogenesis after cerebral stroke are currently available. Besides vascular growth factors, guidance molecules have been identified to regulate aspects of angiogenesis in the central nervous system (CNS) and may provide targets for therapeutic angiogenesis. In this study, we demonstrate that genetic deletion of the neurite outgrowth inhibitor Nogo-A or one of its corresponding receptors, S1PR2, improves vascular sprouting and repair and reduces neurological deficits after cerebral ischemia in mice. These findings were reproduced in a therapeutic approach using intrathecal anti-Nogo-A antibodies; such a therapy is currently in clinical testing for spinal cord injury. These results provide a basis for a therapeutic blockage of inhibitory guidance molecules to improve vascular and neural repair after ischemic CNS injuries.
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28
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Roth M, Gaceb A, Enström A, Padel T, Genové G, Özen I, Paul G. Regulator of G-protein signaling 5 regulates the shift from perivascular to parenchymal pericytes in the chronic phase after stroke. FASEB J 2019; 33:8990-8998. [PMID: 31039042 PMCID: PMC6662981 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201900153r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Poststroke recovery requires multiple repair mechanisms, including vascular remodeling and blood-brain barrier (BBB) restoration. Brain pericytes are essential for BBB repair and angiogenesis after stroke, but they also give rise to scar-forming platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFR-β)–expressing cells. However, many of the molecular mechanisms underlying this pericyte response after stroke still remain unknown. Regulator of G-protein signaling 5 (RGS5) has been associated with pericyte detachment from the vascular wall, but whether it regulates pericyte function and vascular stabilization in the chronic phase of stroke is not known. Using RGS5–knockout (KO) mice, we study how loss of RGS5 affects the pericyte response and vascular remodeling in a stroke model at 7 d after ischemia. Loss of RGS5 leads to a shift toward an increase in the number of perivascular pericytes and reduction in the density of parenchymal PDGFR-β–expressing cells associated with normalized PDGFR-β activation after stroke. The redistribution of pericytes resulted in higher pericyte coverage, increased vascular density, preservation of vessel lengths, and a significant reduction in vascular leakage in RGS5-KO mice compared with controls. Our study demonstrates RGS5 in pericytes as an important target to enhance vascular remodeling.—Roth, M., Gaceb, A., Enström, A., Padel, T., Genové, G., Özen, I., Paul, G. Regulator of G-protein signaling 5 regulates the shift from perivascular to parenchymal pericytes in the chronic phase after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Roth
- Translational Neurology Group, Department of Clinical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Abderahim Gaceb
- Translational Neurology Group, Department of Clinical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Andreas Enström
- Translational Neurology Group, Department of Clinical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Thomas Padel
- Translational Neurology Group, Department of Clinical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Guillem Genové
- Department of Medicine, Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Ilknur Özen
- Translational Neurology Group, Department of Clinical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Gesine Paul
- Translational Neurology Group, Department of Clinical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Neurology, Scania University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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29
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Gong T, Xu J, Heng B, Qiu S, Yi B, Han Y, Lo ECM, Zhang C. EphrinB2/EphB4 Signaling Regulates DPSCs to Induce Sprouting Angiogenesis of Endothelial Cells. J Dent Res 2019; 98:803-812. [PMID: 31017515 DOI: 10.1177/0022034519843886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are capable of facilitating angiogenesis resembling pericytes when located adjacent to endothelial cells (ECs). Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms orchestrating their proangiogenic functions remain unclear. Using a 3-dimensional (3-D) fibrin gel model, we aimed to investigate whether EphrinB2/EphB4 signaling in DPSCs plays a role in supporting vascular morphogenesis mediated by ECs, together with the underlying mechanism involved. The EphrinB2/EphB4 signaling was inhibited either by a pharmacological inhibitor of EphB4 receptor or by knocking down the expressions of EphrinB2 and EphB4 using lentiviral small hairpin RNA (shRNA). DPSCs were either encapsulated in fibrin gel together with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) or cultured as a monolayer on top of HUVECs to investigate both paracrine and juxtacrine interactions simultaneously. Following 10 d of direct coculture, we found that pharmacological inhibition of EphrinB2/EphB4 signaling severely impaired vessel formation and laminin deposition. When directly cocultured with HUVECs, knockdown of EphrinB2 or EphB4 in DPSCs significantly inhibited endothelial sprouting, resulting in less capillary sprouts with reduced vessel length (P < 0.05). By contrast, when DPSCs were not in direct contact with HUVECs, attenuation of EphrinB2 or EphB4 expression levels in DPSCs did not exert any significant effects on capillary morphogenesis. Noticeably, exogenous stimulation with soluble EphrinB2-Fc or EphB4-Fc (1 µg/mL) enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion from DPSCs, thereby moderately promoting angiogenic cascades in the fibrin matrix. This study, for the first time, reveals a crucial role of EphrinB2/EphB4 signaling in regulating the capacity of DPSCs to induce sprouting angiogenesis. These findings advance our understanding of postnatal angiogenesis and may have future regenerative medicine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Gong
- 1 Endodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.,4 HKU Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Hong Kong, China
| | - J Xu
- 1 Endodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - B Heng
- 1 Endodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - S Qiu
- 2 Shenzhen Key Laboratory of ENT, Institute of ENT & Longgang ENT Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - B Yi
- 1 Endodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Y Han
- 1 Endodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - E C M Lo
- 3 Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - C Zhang
- 1 Endodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.,4 HKU Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Hong Kong, China
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30
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Kunze R, Marti HH. Angioneurins - Key regulators of blood-brain barrier integrity during hypoxic and ischemic brain injury. Prog Neurobiol 2019; 178:101611. [PMID: 30970273 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The loss of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity leading to vasogenic edema and brain swelling is a common feature of hypoxic/ischemic brain diseases such as stroke, but is also central to the etiology of other CNS disorders. In the past decades, numerous proteins, belonging to the family of angioneurins, have gained increasing attention as potential therapeutic targets for ischemic stroke, but also other CNS diseases attributed to BBB dysfunction. Angioneurins encompass mediators that affect both neuronal and vascular function. Recently, increasing evidence has been accumulated that certain angioneurins critically determine disease progression and outcome in stroke among others through multifaceted effects on the compromised BBB. Here, we will give a concise overview about the family of angioneurins. We further describe the most important cellular and molecular components that contribute to structural integrity and low permeability of the BBB under steady-state conditions. We then discuss BBB alterations in ischemic stroke, and highlight underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. For the most prominent angioneurin family members including vascular endothelial growth factors, angiopoietins, platelet-derived growth factors and erythropoietin, we will summarize current scientific literature from experimental studies in animal models, and if available from clinical trials, on the following points: (i) spatiotemporal expression of these factors in the healthy and hypoxic/ischemic CNS, (ii) impact of loss- or gain-of-function during cerebral hypoxia/ischemia for BBB integrity and beyond, and (iii) potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Moreover, we will highlight novel therapeutic strategies based on the activation of endogenous angioneurins that might improve BBB dysfuntion during ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiner Kunze
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Germany.
| | - Hugo H Marti
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Germany
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31
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Su SA, Xie Y, Zhang Y, Xi Y, Cheng J, Xiang M. Essential roles of EphrinB2 in mammalian heart: from development to diseases. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:29. [PMID: 30909943 PMCID: PMC6434800 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0337-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
EphrinB2, a membrane-tethered ligand preferentially binding to its receptor EphB4, is ubiquitously expressed in all mammals. Through the particular bidirectional signaling, EphrinB2 plays a critical role during the development of cardiovascular system, postnatal angiogenesis physiologically and pathologically, and cardiac remodeling after injuries as an emerging role. This review highlights the pivotal involvement of EphrinB2 in heart, from developmental cardiogenesis to pathological cardiac remodeling process. Further potential translational therapies will be discussed in targeting EphrinB2 signaling, to better understand the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-An Su
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yao Xie
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yuhao Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yutao Xi
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston, 77030, USA.
| | - Jie Cheng
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston, 77030, USA
| | - Meixiang Xiang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
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32
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Ernst AS, Böhler LI, Hagenston AM, Hoffmann A, Heiland S, Sticht C, Bendszus M, Hecker M, Bading H, Marti HH, Korff T, Kunze R. EphB2-dependent signaling promotes neuronal excitotoxicity and inflammation in the acute phase of ischemic stroke. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:15. [PMID: 30722785 PMCID: PMC6362601 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0669-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Local cerebral hypoperfusion causes ischemic stroke while driving multiple cell-specific responses including inflammation, glutamate-induced neurotoxicity mediated via NMDAR, edema formation and angiogenesis. Despite the relevance of these pathophysiological mechanisms for disease progression and outcome, molecular determinants controlling the onset of these processes are only partially understood. In this context, our study intended to investigate the functional role of EphB2, a receptor tyrosine kinase that is crucial for synapse function and binds to membrane-associated ephrin-B ligands. Cerebral ischemia was induced in Ephb2−/− mice by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by different times (6, 12, 24 and 48 h) of reperfusion. Histological, neurofunctional and transcriptome analyses indicated an increase in EphB2 phosphorylation under these conditions and attenuated progression of stroke in Ephb2−/− mice. Moreover, while infiltration of microglia/macrophages and astrocytes into the peri-infarct region was not altered, expression of the pro-inflammatory mediators MCP-1 and IL-6 was decreased in these mice. In vitro analyses indicated that binding of EphB2 to astrocytic ephrin-B ligands stimulates NF-κB-mediated cytokine expression via the MAPK pathway. Further magnetic resonance imaging of the Ephb2−/− ischemic brain revealed a lower level of cytotoxic edema formation within 6 h upon onset of reperfusion. On the mechanistic level, absence of neuronal EphB2 decreased the mitochondrial Ca2+ load upon specific activation of NMDAR but not during synaptic activity. Furthermore, neuron-specific loss of ephrin-B2 reduced the extent of cerebral tissue damage in the acute phase of ischemic stroke. Collectively, EphB2 may promote the immediate response to an ischemia-reperfusion event in the central nervous system by (i) pro-inflammatory activation of astrocytes via ephrin-B-dependent signaling and (ii) amplification of NMDA-evoked neuronal excitotoxicity.
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33
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Coucha M, Barrett AC, Elgebaly M, Ergul A, Abdelsaid M. Inhibition of Ephrin-B2 in brain pericytes decreases cerebral pathological neovascularization in diabetic rats. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210523. [PMID: 30620753 PMCID: PMC6324788 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that diabetes causes dysfunctional cerebral neovascularization that increases the risk for cerebrovascular disorders such as stroke and cognitive impairment. Pericytes (PCs) play a pivotal role in the angiogenic process through their interaction with the endothelial cells (EC). Yet, the role of PCs in dysfunctional cerebral neovascularization in diabetes is unclear. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the increased proangiogenic Ephrin-B2 signaling in PCs contributes to the dysfunctional cerebral neovascularization in diabetes. Type-II diabetes was induced by a combination of high fat diet and low dose streptozotocin injection in male Wistar rats. Selective in vivo Ephrin-B2 silencing in brain PCs was achieved using the stereotactic injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) with NG2-promoter that expresses Ephrin-B2 shRNA. Neovascularization was assessed using vascular fluorescent dye stain. Novel object recognition (NOR) test was used to determine cognitive functions. Human brain microvascular pericytes HBMVPCs were grown in high glucose 25 mM and palmitate 200 uM (HG/Pal) to mimic diabetic conditions. Scratch migration and tube formation assays were conducted to evaluate PC/EC interaction and angiogenic functions in PC/EC co-culture. Diabetes increased the expression of Ephrin-B2 in the cerebrovasculature and pericytes. Concomitant increases in cerebral neovascularization parameters including vascular density, tortuosity and branching density in diabetic rats were accompanied by deterioration of cognitive function. Inhibition of Ephrin-B2 expression in PCs significantly restored cerebral vascularization and improved cognitive functions. HG/Pal increased PC/EC angiogenic properties in co-culture. Silencing Ephrin-B2 in PCs significantly reduced PC migration and PC/EC co-culture angiogenic properties. This study emphasizes the significant contribution of PCs to the pathological neovascularization in diabetes. Our findings introduce Ephrin-B2 signaling as a promising therapeutic target to improve cerebrovascular integrity in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Coucha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, South University, Savannah, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Amy C. Barrett
- Biomedical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, Mercer University, Savannah, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mostafa Elgebaly
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Larkin University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Adviye Ergul
- Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mohammed Abdelsaid
- Biomedical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, Mercer University, Savannah, Georgia, United States of America
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34
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Kolinko Y, Kralickova M, Tonar Z. The impact of pericytes on the brain and approaches for their morphological analysis. J Chem Neuroanat 2018; 91:35-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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35
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Malik VA, Di Benedetto B. The Blood-Brain Barrier and the EphR/Ephrin System: Perspectives on a Link Between Neurovascular and Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:127. [PMID: 29706868 PMCID: PMC5906525 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions among endothelial cells (EC) forming blood vessels and their surrounding cell types are essential to establish the blood-brain barrier (BBB), an integral part of the neurovascular unit (NVU). Research on the NVU has recently seen a renaissance to especially understand the neurobiology of vascular and brain pathologies and their frequently occurring comorbidities. Diverse signaling molecules activated in the near proximity of blood vessels trigger paracellular pathways which regulate the formation and stabilization of tight junctions (TJ) between EC and thereby influence BBB permeability. Among regulatory molecules, the erythropoietin-producing-hepatocellular carcinoma receptors (EphR) and their Eph receptor-interacting signals (ephrins) play a pivotal role in EC differentiation, angiogenesis and BBB integrity. Multiple EphR-ligand interactions between EC and other cell types influence different aspects of angiogenesis and BBB formation. Such interactions additionally control BBB sealing properties and thus the penetration of substances into the brain parenchyma. Thus, they play critical roles in the healthy brain and during the pathogenesis of brain disorders. In this mini-review article, we aim at integrating the constantly growing literature about the functional roles of the EphR/ephrin system for the development of the vascular system and the BBB and in the pathogenesis of neurovascular and neuropsychiatric disorders. We suggest the hypothesis that a disrupted EphR/ephrin signaling at the BBB might represent an underappreciated molecular hub of disease comorbidity. Finally, we propose the possibility that the EphR/ephrin system bears the potential of becoming a novel target for the development of alternative therapeutic treatments, focusing on such comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A Malik
- RG Neuro-Glia Pharmacology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Di Benedetto
- RG Neuro-Glia Pharmacology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.,Regensburg Center of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Interleukin 6-Mediated Endothelial Barrier Disturbances Can Be Attenuated by Blockade of the IL6 Receptor Expressed in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells. Transl Stroke Res 2018; 9:631-642. [PMID: 29429002 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-018-0614-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Compromised blood-brain barrier (BBB) by dysregulation of cellular junctions is a hallmark of many cerebrovascular disorders due to the pro-inflammatory cytokines action. Interleukin 6 (IL6) is implicated in inflammatory processes and in secondary brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) but its role in the maintenance of cerebral endothelium still requires a precise elucidation. Although IL6 has been shown to exert pro-inflammatory action on brain microvascular endothelial cells (ECs), the expression of one of the IL6 receptors, the IL6R is controversially discussed. In attempt to reach more clarity in this issue, we present here an evident baseline expression of the IL6R in BBB endothelium in vivo and in an in vitro model of the BBB, the cEND cell line. A significantly increased expression of IL6R and its ligand was observed in BBB capillaries 2 days after experimental SAH in mice. In vitro, we saw IL6 administration resulting in an intracellular and extracellular elevation of IL6 protein, which was accompanied by a reduced expression of tight and adherens junctions, claudin-5, occludin, and vascular-endothelial (VE-) cadherin. By functional assays, we could demonstrate IL6-incubated brain ECs to lose their endothelial integrity that can be attenuated by inhibiting the IL6R. Blockade of the IL6R by a neutralizing antibody has reconstituted the intercellular junction expression to the control level and caused a restoration of the transendothelial electrical resistance of the cEND cell monolayer. Our findings add depth to the current understanding of the involvement of the endothelial IL6R in the loss of EC integrity implicating potential therapy options.
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