LMO2 (LIM Domain Only 2) and Endothelial Cell Migration in Developmental and Postnatal Angiogenesis

Knockdown of LIMD2 inhibits the progression of ovarian carcinoma through ERK1/2 pathway

BACKGROUND

The incidence rate of ovarian carcinoma (OC) is the third of the female reproductive system malignant tumors, while its mortality rate ranks first among causes of female reproductive system tumor related death in the world.

METHODS

In the present research, we investigated the specific role of LIMD2 through LIMD2 knockdown in OC cells.

RESULTS

The results of online analysis and expression detection proved that LIMD2 was up-regulated in human OC tissues and cells. Knockdown of LIMD2 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion in OC cells. LIMD2 knockdown promoted the apoptosis, as well as the expression of Cleaved-Caspase3 and Bax. Importantly, knockdown of LIMD2 promotes cell autophagy. LC3-II/I ratio and Beclin1 expression increased in LIMD2 knockdown cells, while P62 expression declined in LIMD2 knockdown cells. Additionally, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was inhibited by the knockdown of LIMD2 in SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells.

CONCLUSION

Knockdown of LIMD2 inhibits cell proliferation, migration, invasion and autophagy, and promotes the apoptosis through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, suggesting that LIMD2-siRNA may be an effective molecule to prevent OC progression.

Novel mediators regulating angiogenesis in diabetic foot ulcer healing

A non-healing diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a debilitating clinical problem amounting to socioeconomic and psychosocial burdens. DFUs increase morbidity due to prolonged treatment and mortality in the case of non-treatable ulcers resulting in gangrene and septicemia. The overall amputation rate of the lower extremity with DFU ranges from 3.34% to 42.83%. Wound debridement, antibiotics, applying growth factors, negative pressure wound therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, topical oxygen, and skin grafts are common therapies for DFU. However, recurrence and nonhealing ulcers are still major issues. Chronicity of inflammation, hypoxic environment, poor angiogenesis, and decreased formation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are common impediments leading to nonhealing patterns of DFUs. Angiogenesis is crucial for wound healing since proper vessel formation facilitates nutrients, oxygen, and immune cells to the ulcer tissue to help in clearing out debris and facilitate healing. However, poor angiogenesis due to decreased expression of angiogenic mediators and matrix formation results in nonhealing and ultimately amputation. Multiple proangiogenic mediators and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy exist to enhance angiogenesis, but the results are not satisfactory. Thus, there is a need to investigate novel pro-angiogenic mediators that can either alone or in combination enhance the angiogenesis and healing of DFUs. In this article, we critically reviewed the existing pro-angiogenic mediators followed by potentially novel factors that might play a regulatory role in promoting angiogenesis and wound healing in DFUs.

Impact of medication on blood transcriptome reveals off-target regulations of beta-blockers

Background

For many drugs, mechanisms of action with regard to desired effects and/or unwanted side effects are only incompletely understood. To investigate possible pleiotropic effects and respective molecular mechanisms, we describe here a catalogue of commonly used drugs and their impact on the blood transcriptome.

Methods and results

From a population-based cohort in Germany (LIFE-Adult), we collected genome-wide gene-expression data in whole blood using in Illumina HT12v4 micro-arrays (n = 3,378; 19,974 gene expression probes per individual). Expression profiles were correlated with the intake of active substances as assessed by participants’ medication. This resulted in a catalogue of fourteen substances that were identified as associated with differential gene expression for a total of 534 genes. As an independent replication cohort, an observational study of patients with suspected or confirmed stable coronary artery disease (CAD) or myocardial infarction (LIFE-Heart, n = 3,008, 19,966 gene expression probes per individual) was employed. Notably, we were able to replicate differential gene expression for three active substances affecting 80 genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (carvedilol: 25; prednisolone: 17; timolol: 38). Additionally, using gene ontology enrichment analysis, we demonstrated for timolol a significant enrichment in 23 pathways, 19 of them including either GPER1 or PDE4B. In the case of carvedilol, we showed that, beside genes with well-established association with hypertension (GPER1, PDE4B and TNFAIP3), the drug also affects genes that are only indirectly linked to hypertension due to their effects on artery walls or their role in lipid biosynthesis.

Conclusions

Our developed catalogue of blood gene expressions profiles affected by medication can be used to support both, drug repurposing and the identification of possible off-target effects.