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Ren Y, Feng L, Tan Z, Zhou F, Liu S. Constructing a novel prognostic model for triple-negative breast cancer based on genes associated with vasculogenic mimicry. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:8086-8109. [PMID: 38728245 PMCID: PMC11132006 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research has shown a connection between vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and cancer progression. However, the functions of genes related to VM in the emergence and progression of TNBC have not been completely elucidated. METHODS A survival risk model was constructed by screening biomarkers using DESeq2 and WGCNA based on public TNBC transcriptome data. Furthermore, gene set enrichment analysis was performed, and tumor microenvironment and drug sensitivity were analyzed. The selected biomarkers were validated via quantitative PCR detection, immunohistochemical staining, and protein detection in breast cancer cell lines. Biomarkers related to the proliferation and migration of TNBC cells were validated via in vitro experiments. RESULTS The findings revealed that 235 target genes were connected to the complement and coagulation cascade pathways. The risk score was constructed using KCND2, NRP1, and VSTM4. The prognosis model using the risk score and pathological T stage yielded good validation results. The clinical risk of TNBC was associated with the angiogenesis signaling pathway, and the low-risk group exhibited better sensitivity to immunotherapy. Quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry indicated that the expression levels of KCND2 in TNBC tissues were higher than those in adjacent nontumor tissues. In the TNBC cell line, the protein expression of KCND2 was increased. Knockdown of KCND2 and VSTM4 inhibited the proliferation and migration of TNBC cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS In this study, three VM-related biomarkers were identified, including KCND2, NRP1, and VSTM4. These findings are likely to aid in deepening our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of VM in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ren
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Luyi Feng
- Information Department of Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhihua Tan
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Fulin Zhou
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guiyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Guiyang, China
- The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Shu Liu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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Pham DL, Niemi A, Blank R, Lomenzo G, Tham J, Ko ML, Ko GYP. Peptide Lv Promotes Trafficking and Membrane Insertion of K Ca3.1 through the MEK1-ERK and PI3K-Akt Signaling Pathways. Cells 2023; 12:1651. [PMID: 37371121 PMCID: PMC10296961 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide Lv is a small endogenous secretory peptide that is proangiogenic through hyperpolarizing vascular endothelial cells (ECs) by enhancing the current densities of KCa3.1 channels. However, it is unclear how peptide Lv enhances these currents. One way to enhance the current densities of ion channels is to promote its trafficking and insertion into the plasma membrane. We hypothesized that peptide Lv-elicited KCa3.1 augmentation occurs through activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways, which are known to mediate ion channel trafficking and membrane insertion in neurons. To test this hypothesis, we employed patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings and cell-surface biotinylation assays on ECs treated with peptide Lv and pharmaceutical inhibitors of ERK and Akt. Blocking ERK or Akt activation diminished peptide Lv-elicited EC hyperpolarization and increase in KCa3.1 current densities. Blocking PI3K or Akt activation decreased the level of plasma membrane-bound, but not the total amount of KCa3.1 protein in ECs. Therefore, the peptide Lv-elicited EC hyperpolarization and KCa3.1 augmentation occurred in part through channel trafficking and insertion mediated by MEK1-ERK and PI3K-Akt activation. These results demonstrate the molecular mechanisms of how peptide Lv promotes EC-mediated angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan L. Pham
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (D.L.P.); (A.N.); (R.B.); (G.L.); (J.T.); (M.L.K.)
| | - Autumn Niemi
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (D.L.P.); (A.N.); (R.B.); (G.L.); (J.T.); (M.L.K.)
| | - Ria Blank
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (D.L.P.); (A.N.); (R.B.); (G.L.); (J.T.); (M.L.K.)
| | - Gabriella Lomenzo
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (D.L.P.); (A.N.); (R.B.); (G.L.); (J.T.); (M.L.K.)
| | - Jenivi Tham
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (D.L.P.); (A.N.); (R.B.); (G.L.); (J.T.); (M.L.K.)
| | - Michael L. Ko
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (D.L.P.); (A.N.); (R.B.); (G.L.); (J.T.); (M.L.K.)
- Department of Biology, Division of Natural and Physical Sciences, Blinn College, Bryan, TX 77802, USA
| | - Gladys Y.-P. Ko
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (D.L.P.); (A.N.); (R.B.); (G.L.); (J.T.); (M.L.K.)
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Thengchaisri N, Kuo L, Hein TW. H 2O 2 Mediates VEGF- and Flow-Induced Dilations of Coronary Arterioles in Early Type 1 Diabetes: Role of Vascular Arginase and PI3K-Linked eNOS Uncoupling. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010489. [PMID: 36613929 PMCID: PMC9820654 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In diabetes, the enzyme arginase is upregulated, which may compete with endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) for their common substrate L-arginine and compromise NO-mediated vasodilation. However, this eNOS uncoupling can lead to superoxide production and possibly vasodilator hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) formation to compensate for NO deficiency. This hypothesis was tested in coronary arterioles isolated from pigs with 2-week diabetes after streptozocin injection. The NO-mediated vasodilation induced by flow and VEGF was abolished by NOS inhibitor L-NAME and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin but was not affected by arginase inhibitor Nω-hydroxy-nor-L-arginine (nor-NOHA) or H2O2 scavenger catalase in control pigs. With diabetes, this vasodilation was partially blunted, and the remaining vasodilation was abolished by catalase and wortmannin. Administration of L-arginine or nor-NOHA restored flow-induced vasodilation in an L-NAME sensitive manner. Diabetes did not alter vascular superoxide dismutase 1, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase mRNA levels. This study demonstrates that endothelium-dependent NO-mediated coronary arteriolar dilation is partially compromised in early type 1 diabetes by reducing eNOS substrate L-arginine via arginase activation. It appears that upregulated arginase contributes to endothelial NO deficiency in early diabetes, but production of H2O2 during PI3K-linked eNOS uncoupling likely compensates for and masks this disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naris Thengchaisri
- Department of Medical Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Lih Kuo
- Department of Medical Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
- Correspondence: (L.K.); (T.W.H.)
| | - Travis W. Hein
- Department of Medical Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute, School of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
- Correspondence: (L.K.); (T.W.H.)
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Peptide Lv augments intermediate-conductance calcium-dependent potassium channels (KCa3.1) in endothelial cells to promote angiogenesis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276744. [PMID: 36282858 PMCID: PMC9595550 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide Lv is a small endogenous secretory peptide that is expressed in various tissues and conserved across different species. Patients with diabetic retinopathy, an ocular disease with pathological angiogenesis, have upregulated peptide Lv in their retinas. The pro-angiogenic activity of peptide Lv is in part through promoting vascular endothelial cell (EC) proliferation, migration, and sprouting, but its molecular mechanism is not completely understood. This study aimed to decipher how peptide Lv promotes EC-dependent angiogenesis by using patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings, Western immunoblotting, quantitative PCR, and cell proliferation assays in cultured ECs. Endothelial cells treated with peptide Lv became significantly hyperpolarized, an essential step for EC activation. Treatment with peptide Lv augmented the expression and current densities of the intermediate-conductance calcium-dependent potassium (KCa3.1) channels that contribute to EC hyperpolarization but did not augment other potassium channels. Blocking KCa3.1 attenuated peptide Lv-elicited EC proliferation. These results indicate that peptide Lv-stimulated increases of functional KCa3.1 in ECs contributes to EC activation and EC-dependent angiogenesis.
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Mukai M, Uchida K, Okubo T, Takano S, Matsumoto T, Satoh M, Inoue G, Takaso M. Regulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α by Peptide Lv in Bone Marrow Macrophages and Synovium. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:702126. [PMID: 34386509 PMCID: PMC8353113 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.702126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Bone marrow-derived monocytes/macrophages are recruited into synovial tissue, where they contribute to synovial inflammation in osteoarthritis through inflammatory cytokine production. Recent studies have suggested that V-Set and transmembrane domain-containing 4 (VSTM4) and its fragment, peptide Lv, exhibit immunosuppressive activity on T cells and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-like activity, respectively. Given that evidence suggests that VEGF may play a role in macrophage function, we investigated peptide Lv-mediated regulation of inflammatory cytokines in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) and synovial inflammation. Method: To investigate the effects of peptide Lv, BMMs were stimulated with vehicle, LPS, or LPS + peptide Lv, and Tnfa, Il1b, Il6, and Ifng expression were evaluated using quantitative PCR (qPCR). TNF-α and IFN-γ production was measured using ELISA. To examine the effect of peptide Lv deficiency on macrophages and synovitis, peptide Lv-deficient mice were generated using genome editing. LPS-induced Tnfa and Ifng expression and TNF-α and IFN-γ production were evaluated in BMM isolated from wild-type and peptide Lv-deficient mice. Additionally, Tnfa and Ifng expression levels were compared between wild-type and peptide Lv-deficient mice before and after knee injury. Results: Peptide Lv suppressed the LPS-mediated elevation in TNF-α and IFN-γ. LPS stimulation significantly increased TNF-α and IFN-γ production in BMM derived from peptide Lv-deficient mice compared to wild-type mice. Synovial TNF-α expression in the injured knee was elevated in peptide Lv-deficient compared to wild-type mice. Conclusion: Peptide Lv suppressed TNF-α in macrophages and plays a role in synovial inflammation. Thus, peptide Lv may be a useful therapeutic target for synovitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Mukai
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Kentaro Uchida
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan.,Shonan University of Medical Sciences Research Institute, Chigasaki, Japan
| | - Tadashi Okubo
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Shotaro Takano
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Toshihide Matsumoto
- Department of Pathology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Masashi Satoh
- Department of Immunology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Gen Inoue
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Masashi Takaso
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
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Shi L, Zhao M, Abbey CA, Tsai SH, Xie W, Pham D, Chapman S, Bayless KJ, Hein TW, Rosa RH, Ko ML, Kuo L, Ko GYP. Newly Identified Peptide, Peptide Lv, Promotes Pathological Angiogenesis. J Am Heart Assoc 2019; 8:e013673. [PMID: 31698979 PMCID: PMC6915261 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.119.013673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background We recently discovered a small endogenous peptide, peptide Lv, with the ability to activate vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 and its downstream signaling. As vascular endothelial growth factor through vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 contributes to normal development, vasodilation, angiogenesis, and pathogenesis of various diseases, we investigated the role of peptide Lv in vasodilation and developmental and pathological angiogenesis in this study. Methods and Results The endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and 3-dimensional sprouting assays were used to test the abilities of peptide Lv in angiogenesis in vitro. The chick chorioallantoic membranes and early postnatal mice were used to examine its impact on developmental angiogenesis. The oxygen-induced retinopathy and laser-induced choroidal neovascularization mouse models were used for in vivo pathological angiogenesis. The isolated porcine retinal and coronary arterioles were used for vasodilation assays. Peptide Lv elicited angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Peptide Lv and vascular endothelial growth factor acted synergistically in promoting endothelial cell proliferation. Peptide Lv-elicited vasodilation was not completely dependent on nitric oxide, indicating that peptide Lv had vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2/nitric oxide-independent targets. An antibody against peptide Lv, anti-Lv, dampened vascular endothelial growth factor-elicited endothelial proliferation and laser-induced vascular leakage and choroidal neovascularization. While the pathological angiogenesis in mouse eyes with oxygen-induced retinopathy was enhanced by exogenous peptide Lv, anti-Lv dampened this process. Furthermore, deletion of peptide Lv in mice significantly decreased pathological neovascularization compared with their wild-type littermates. Conclusions These results demonstrate that peptide Lv plays a significant role in pathological angiogenesis but may be less critical during development. Peptide Lv is involved in pathological angiogenesis through vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-dependent and -independent pathways. As anti-Lv dampened the pathological angiogenesis in the eye, anti-Lv may have a therapeutic potential to treat pathological angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liheng Shi
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Texas A&M University College Station TX
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Medical Physiology Ophthalmic Vascular Research Program College of Medicine Texas A&M University Health Science Center Bryan TX
| | - Colette A Abbey
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine College of Medicine Texas A&M University Health Science Center Bryan TX
| | - Shu-Huai Tsai
- Department of Medical Physiology Ophthalmic Vascular Research Program College of Medicine Texas A&M University Health Science Center Bryan TX
| | - Wankun Xie
- Department of Medical Physiology Ophthalmic Vascular Research Program College of Medicine Texas A&M University Health Science Center Bryan TX
| | - Dylan Pham
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Texas A&M University College Station TX
| | - Samantha Chapman
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Texas A&M University College Station TX
| | - Kayla J Bayless
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine College of Medicine Texas A&M University Health Science Center Bryan TX
| | - Travis W Hein
- Department of Medical Physiology Ophthalmic Vascular Research Program College of Medicine Texas A&M University Health Science Center Bryan TX
| | - Robert H Rosa
- Department of Medical Physiology Ophthalmic Vascular Research Program College of Medicine Texas A&M University Health Science Center Bryan TX.,Department of Ophthalmology Baylor Scott & White Eye Institute Temple TX
| | - Michael L Ko
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Texas A&M University College Station TX.,Department of Biology Blinn College Bryan TX
| | - Lih Kuo
- Department of Medical Physiology Ophthalmic Vascular Research Program College of Medicine Texas A&M University Health Science Center Bryan TX
| | - Gladys Y-P Ko
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Texas A&M University College Station TX.,Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience Texas A&M University College Station TX
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