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Zhang J, Zhang S, Xu S, Zhu Z, Li J, Wang Z, Wada Y, Gatt A, Liu J. Oxidative Stress Induces E-Selectin Expression through Repression of Endothelial Transcription Factor ERG. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:1835-1843. [PMID: 37930129 PMCID: PMC10694031 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress induces a prothrombotic state through enhancement of adhesion properties of the endothelium. E-selectin, an endothelial cell adhesion molecule, becomes a therapeutic target for venous thrombosis, whereas the regulatory mechanisms of its expression have not been fully understood. In the present study, we report that H2O2 treatment increases expression of E-selectin but decreases expression of the endothelial transcription factor ETS-related gene (ERG) in HUVECs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In BALB/c mice treated with hypochlorous acid, E-selectin expression is increased and ERG expression is decreased in endothelial cells of the brain and lung. RNA interference of ERG upregulates E-selectin expression, whereas transfection of ERG-expressing plasmid downregulates E-selectin expression in HUVECs. Knockdown or overexpression of ERG comprises H2O2-induced E-selectin expression in HUVECs. Deletion of the Erg gene in mice results in embryonic lethality at embryonic days 10.5-12.5, and E-selectin expression is increased in the Erg-/- embryos. No chromatin loop was found on the E-selectin gene or its promoter region by capture high-throughput chromosome conformation capture. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assay determined that the -127 ERG binding motif mediates ERG-repressed E-selectin promoter activity. In addition, ERG decreases H2O2-induced monocyte adhesion. Together, ERG represses the E-selectin gene transcription and inhibits oxidative stress-induced endothelial cell adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjin Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shanhu Xu
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhiying Zhu
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiang Li
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zengjin Wang
- Institute of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Youichiro Wada
- Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Alex Gatt
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, Msida, Malta
- Hematology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Ju Liu
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Institute of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
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Randi AM, Jones D, Peghaire C, Arachchillage DJ. Mechanisms regulating heterogeneity of hemostatic gene expression in endothelial cells. J Thromb Haemost 2023; 21:3056-3066. [PMID: 37393001 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.06.024] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
The hemostatic system involves an array of circulating coagulation factors that work in concert with platelets and the vascular endothelium to promote clotting in a space- and time-defined manner. Despite equal systemic exposure to circulating factors, bleeding and thrombotic diseases tend to prefer specific sites, suggesting an important role for local factors. This may be provided by endothelial heterogeneity. Endothelial cells differ not only between arteries, veins, and capillaries but also between microvascular beds from different organs, which present unique organotypic morphology and functional and molecular profiles. Accordingly, regulators of hemostasis are not uniformly distributed in the vasculature. The establishment and maintenance of endothelial diversity are orchestrated at the transcriptional level. Recent transcriptomic and epigenomic studies have provided a global picture of endothelial cell heterogeneity. In this review, we discuss the organotypic differences in the hemostatic profile of endothelial cells; we focus on 2 major endothelial regulators of hemostasis, namely von Willebrand factor and thrombomodulin, to provide examples of transcriptional mechanisms that control heterogeneity; finally, we consider some of the methodological challenges and opportunities for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Randi
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Daisy Jones
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Claire Peghaire
- University of Bordeaux, Unité Mixte de Recherche-1034 INSERM, Biology of Cardiovascular Diseases, Pessac, France
| | - Deepa J Arachchillage
- Centre for Haematology, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London, UK; Department of Haematology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK. https://twitter.com/DeepaArachchil1
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3
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Wang X, Starodubtseva MN, Kapron CM, Liu J. Cadmium, von Willebrand factor and vascular aging. NPJ AGING 2023; 9:11. [PMID: 37264012 DOI: 10.1038/s41514-023-00107-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Vascular aging is a major contributing factor to cardiovascular disease. The aged blood vessels, characterized by vascular wall thickening and stiffening, are instigated by endothelial cell dysfunction induced by oxidative stress and inflammation. von Willebrand Factor (vWF) is a glycoprotein known for its role in coagulation, and plasma levels of vWF are increased with age. Elevated vWF promotes thrombosis, atherosclerotic plaque formation, inflammation and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant associated with increased morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease. At low concentrations, Cd activates pro-survival signaling in endothelial cells, however enhances intima-media thickness and atherogenesis. A non-cytotoxic dose of Cd also increases endothelial vWF expression and secretion in vivo and in vitro. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying vWF-promoted vascular aging-associated pathologies and Cd-induced vWF expression. In addition, we propose that exposure to low-dose Cd is a risk factor for vascular aging, through elevation of plasma vWF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wang
- Institute of Microvascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University& Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Maria N Starodubtseva
- Gomel State Medical University, Gomel, Belarus
- Institute of Radiobiology of NAS of Belarus, Gomel, Belarus
| | - Carolyn M Kapron
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Ju Liu
- Institute of Microvascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University& Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China.
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4
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Hough C, Notley C, Mo A, Videl B, Lillicrap D. Heterogeneity and reciprocity of FVIII and VWF expression, and the response to shear stress in cultured human endothelial cells. J Thromb Haemost 2022; 20:2507-2518. [PMID: 35950488 PMCID: PMC9850489 DOI: 10.1111/jth.15841] [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: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substantial phenotypic heterogeneity exists in endothelial cells and while much of this heterogeneity results from local microenvironments, epigenetic modifications also contribute. METHODS Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells, human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells, human hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells, human lymphatic endothelial cells (hLECs), and two different isolations of endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) were assessed for levels of factor VIII (FVIII) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) RNA and protein. The intracellular location and co-localization of both proteins was evaluated with immunofluorescence microscopy and stimulated release toof FVIII and VWF from Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) was evaluated. Changes in expression of FVIII and VWF RNA after hLECs and ECFCs were exposed to 2 or 15 dynes/cm2 of laminar shear stress were also assessed. RESULTS We observed considerable heterogeneity in FVIII and VWF expression among the endothelial cells. With the exception of hLECs, FVIII RNA and protein were barely detectable in any of the endothelial cells and a reciprocal relationship between levels of FVIII and VWF appears to exist. When FVIII and VWF are co-expressed, they do not consistently co-localize in the cytoplasm. However, in hLECs where significantly higher levels of FVIII are expressed, FVIII and VWF co-localize in WPBs and are released together when stimulated. Expression of both FVIII and VWF is markedly reduced when hLECs are exposed to higher or lower levels of laminar shear stress, while in ECFCs there is a minimal response for both proteins. CONCLUSIONS Variable levels of FVIII and VWF RNA and protein exist in a subset of cultured human endothelial cells. Higher levels of FVIII present in hLECs co-localize with VWF and are released together when exposed to a secretagogue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Hough
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Richardson Laboratory, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Colleen Notley
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Richardson Laboratory, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aomei Mo
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Richardson Laboratory, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Barbara Videl
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Richardson Laboratory, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Lillicrap
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Richardson Laboratory, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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5
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Manz XD, Bogaard HJ, Aman J. Regulation of VWF (Von Willebrand Factor) in Inflammatory Thrombosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:1307-1320. [PMID: 36172866 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.318179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that inflammation promotes thrombosis via a VWF (von Willebrand factor)-mediated mechanism. VWF plays an essential role in maintaining the balance between blood coagulation and bleeding, and inflammation can lead to aberrant regulation. VWF is regulated on a transcriptional and (post-)translational level, and its secretion into the circulation captures platelets upon endothelial activation. The significant progress that has been made in understanding transcriptional and translational regulation of VWF is described in this review. First, we describe how VWF is regulated at the transcriptional and post-translational level with a specific focus on the influence of inflammatory and immune responses. Next, we describe how changes in regulation are linked with various cardiovascular diseases. Recent insights from clinical diseases provide evidence for direct molecular links between inflammation and thrombosis, including atherosclerosis, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and COVID-19. Finally, we will briefly describe clinical implications for antithrombotic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue D Manz
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (ACS), the Netherlands
| | - Harm Jan Bogaard
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (ACS), the Netherlands
| | - Jurjan Aman
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (ACS), the Netherlands
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6
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Li X, Lu Z. Role of von Willebrand factor in the angiogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma (Review). Oncol Lett 2022; 23:198. [PMID: 35572495 PMCID: PMC9100484 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical College, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Zhong Lu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical College, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
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7
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Ng CJ, Liu A, Venkataraman S, Ashworth KJ, Baker CD, O'Rourke R, Vibhakar R, Jones KL, Di Paola J. Single-cell transcriptional analysis of human endothelial colony-forming cells from patients with low VWF levels. Blood 2022; 139:2240-2251. [PMID: 35143643 PMCID: PMC8990376 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021010683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
von Willebrand factor (VWF) plays a key role in normal hemostasis, and deficiencies of VWF lead to clinically significant bleeding. We sought to identify novel modifiers of VWF levels in endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). ECFCs were isolated from patients with low VWF levels (plasma VWF antigen levels between 30 and 50 IU/dL) and from healthy controls. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were used as an additional control cell line. Cells were characterized for their Weibel Palade body (WPB) content and VWF release. scRNA-seq of all cell lines was performed to evaluate for gene expression heterogeneity and for candidate modifiers of VWF regulation. Candidate modifiers identified by scRNA-seq were further characterized with small-interfering RNA (siRNA) experiments to evaluate for effects on VWF. We observed that ECFCs derived from patients with low VWF demonstrated alterations in baseline WPB metrics and exhibit impaired VWF release. scRNA-seq analyses of these endothelial cells revealed overall decreased VWF transcription, mosaicism of VWF expression, and genes that are differentially expressed in low VWF ECFCs and control endothelial cells (control ECs). An siRNA screen of potential VWF modifiers provided further evidence of regulatory candidates, and 1 such candidate, FLI1, alters the transcriptional activity of VWF. In conclusion, ECFCs from individuals with low VWF demonstrate alterations in their baseline VWF packaging and release compared with control ECs. scRNA-seq revealed alterations in VWF transcription, and siRNA screening identified multiple candidate regulators of VWF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Ng
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Alice Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Sujatha Venkataraman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Katrina J Ashworth
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; and
| | - Christopher D Baker
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Rebecca O'Rourke
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Rajeev Vibhakar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Kenneth L Jones
- Department of Cell Biology and
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Jorge Di Paola
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; and
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8
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Li X, Li Y, Wang Y, Liu F, Liu Y, Liang J, Zhan R, Wu Y, Ren H, Zhang X, Liu J. Sinensetin suppresses angiogenesis in liver cancer by targeting the VEGF/VEGFR2/AKT signaling pathway. Exp Ther Med 2022; 23:360. [PMID: 35493423 PMCID: PMC9019764 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11287] [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: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Sinensetin (SIN) is a polymethoxy flavone primarily present in citrus fruits. This compound has demonstrated anticancer activity. However, the underlying mechanism of its action has not been fully understood. The present study investigated the impact of SIN on angiogenesis in a liver cancer model. In a murine xenograft tumor model, SIN inhibited the growth of HepG2/C3A human liver hepatoma cell-derived tumors and reduced the expression levels of platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 and VEGF. In HepG2/C3A cells, SIN repressed VEGF expression by downregulating hypoxia-inducible factor expression. In cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells, SIN increased apoptosis and repressed migration and tube formation. In addition, SIN decreased the phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and inhibited the AKT signaling pathway. Molecular docking demonstrated that the VEGFR2 core domain effectively combined with SIN at various important residues. Collectively, these data suggested that SIN inhibited liver cancer angiogenesis by regulating VEGF/VEGFR2/AKT signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaο Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong 250355, P.R. China
| | - Yan Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong 250355, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong 250355, P.R. China
| | - Fuhong Liu
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Yanjun Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong 250355, P.R. China
| | - Jiangjiu Liang
- Department of Gerontology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Rucai Zhan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Yue Wu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong 250355, P.R. China
| | - He Ren
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong 250355, P.R. China
| | - Xiuyuan Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong 250355, P.R. China
| | - Ju Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shangdong 250355, P.R. China
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9
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Gu X, Jin B, Qi Z, Yin X. Identification of potential microRNAs and KEGG pathways in denervation muscle atrophy based on meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13560. [PMID: 34193880 PMCID: PMC8245453 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92489-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanism of muscle atrophy has been studied a lot, but there is no comprehensive analysis focusing on the denervated muscle atrophy. The gene network that controls the development of denervated muscle atrophy needs further elucidation. We examined differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from five denervated muscle atrophy microarray datasets and predicted microRNAs that target these DEGs. We also included the differentially expressed microRNAs datasets of denervated muscle atrophy in previous studies as background information to identify potential key microRNAs. Finally, we compared denervated muscle atrophy with disuse muscle atrophy caused by other reasons, and obtained the Den-genes which only differentially expressed in denervated muscle atrophy. In this meta-analysis, we obtained 429 up-regulated genes, 525 down-regulated genes and a batch of key microRNAs in denervated muscle atrophy. We found eight important microRNA-mRNA interactions (miR-1/Jun, miR-1/Vegfa, miR-497/Vegfa, miR-23a/Vegfa, miR-206/Vegfa, miR-497/Suclg1, miR-27a/Suclg1, miR-27a/Mapk14). The top five KEGG pathways enriched by Den-genes are Insulin signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway and B cell receptor signaling pathway. Our research has delineated the RNA regulatory network of denervated muscle atrophy, and uncovered the specific genes and terms in denervated muscle atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Gu
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China.,Key Laboratory of Trauma and Neural Regeneration (Peking University), Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Bo Jin
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China.,Key Laboratory of Trauma and Neural Regeneration (Peking University), Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Zhidan Qi
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China.,Key Laboratory of Trauma and Neural Regeneration (Peking University), Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Xiaofeng Yin
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China. .,Key Laboratory of Trauma and Neural Regeneration (Peking University), Beijing, 100044, China.
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10
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COVID-19 is a systemic vascular hemopathy: insight for mechanistic and clinical aspects. Angiogenesis 2021; 24:755-788. [PMID: 34184164 PMCID: PMC8238037 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-021-09805-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is presenting as a systemic disease associated with vascular inflammation and endothelial injury. Severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection induce acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and there is still an ongoing debate on whether COVID-19 ARDS and its perfusion defect differs from ARDS induced by other causes. Beside pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as interleukin-1 β [IL-1β] or IL-6), several main pathological phenomena have been seen because of endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction: hypercoagulation reflected by fibrin degradation products called D-dimers, micro- and macrothrombosis and pathological angiogenesis. Direct endothelial infection by SARS-CoV-2 is not likely to occur and ACE-2 expression by EC is a matter of debate. Indeed, endothelial damage reported in severely ill patients with COVID-19 could be more likely secondary to infection of neighboring cells and/or a consequence of inflammation. Endotheliopathy could give rise to hypercoagulation by alteration in the levels of different factors such as von Willebrand factor. Other than thrombotic events, pathological angiogenesis is among the recent findings. Overexpression of different proangiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) or placental growth factors (PlGF) have been found in plasma or lung biopsies of COVID-19 patients. Finally, SARS-CoV-2 infection induces an emergency myelopoiesis associated to deregulated immunity and mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells, leading to features of acquired hematological malignancies or cardiovascular disease, which are discussed in this review. Altogether, this review will try to elucidate the pathophysiology of thrombotic complications, pathological angiogenesis and EC dysfunction, allowing better insight in new targets and antithrombotic protocols to better address vascular system dysfunction. Since treating SARS-CoV-2 infection and its potential long-term effects involves targeting the vascular compartment and/or mobilization of immature immune cells, we propose to define COVID-19 and its complications as a systemic vascular acquired hemopathy.
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11
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Dong F, Zhao X, Wang J, Huang X, Li X, Zhang L, Dong H, Liu F, Fan M. Dihydroartemisinin inhibits the expression of von Willebrand factor by downregulation of transcription factor ERG in endothelial cells. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2020; 35:321-330. [PMID: 33107067 PMCID: PMC7983977 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12622] [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: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a semi‐synthetic derivative of artemisinin, has effective antitumor and anti‐inflammatory actions. von Willebrand factor (vWF), a large multifunctional glycoprotein, has a prominent function in hemostasis and is a key factor in thrombus formation. In addition, vWF has been regarded as a prospective biomarker for the diagnosis of endothelial dysfunction. In our experiment, we observed that 25 μM DHA specifically downregulated the expression of vWF mRNA and protein in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Further investigations demonstrated that this DHA‐decreased vWF expression was mediated by the transcription factor ERG and not GATA3. Luciferase activity assay confirmed that DHA regulated the ERG binding with the −56 ETS‐binding motif on the human vWF promoter. Thus, the −56 ETS motif on the vWF promoter region regulates the expression of vWF gene which is induced by DHA. Taken together, we proved that DHA decreased the vWF transcription through the downregulation of ERG in HUVECs. As vWF plays a key role in vascular homeostasis, our findings suggest a new role of DHA in vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyun Dong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, 89 Guhuai Road, Jining, Shandong, 272029, China
| | - Xinghai Zhao
- Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 16766 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China
| | - Jianning Wang
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 16766 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 16766 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China
| | - Xiao Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 16369 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250011, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, 88 Wenhuadong Street, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China
| | - Haixin Dong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, 89 Guhuai Road, Jining, Shandong, 272029, China
| | - Fuhong Liu
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 16766 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China
| | - Mengge Fan
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, 16766 Jingshi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, China.,Graduate School, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 6699 Qingdao Road, Jinan, 250000, China
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12
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Minami T, Muramatsu M, Kume T. Organ/Tissue-Specific Vascular Endothelial Cell Heterogeneity in Health and Disease. Biol Pharm Bull 2020; 42:1609-1619. [PMID: 31582649 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b19-00531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The vascular system forms the largest surface in our body, serving as a critical interface between blood circulation and our diverse organ/tissue environments. Thus, the vascular system performs a gatekeeper function for organ/tissue homeostasis and the body's adjustment to pathological challenges. The endothelium, as the most inner layer of the vasculature, regulates the tissue microenvironment, which is critical for development, hemostatic balance, inflammation, and angiogenesis, with a role as well in tumor malignancy and metastasis. These multitudinous functions are primarily mediated by organ/tissue-specifically differentiated endothelial cells, in which heterogeneity has long been recognized at the molecular and histological level. Based on these general principles of vascular-bed heterogeneity and characterization, this review largely covers landmark discoveries regarding organ/tissue microenvironment-governed endothelial cell phenotypic changes. These involve the physical features of continuous, discontinuous, fenestrated, and sinusoidal endothelial cells, in addition to the more specialized endothelial cell layers of the lymphatic system, glomerulus, tumors, and the blood brain barrier (BBB). Major signal pathways of endothelial specification are outlined, including Notch as a key factor of tip/stalk- and arterial-endothelial cell differentiation. We also denote the shear stress sensing machinery used to convey blood flow-mediated biophysical forces that are indispensable to maintaining inert and mature endothelial phenotypes. Since our circulatory system is among the most fundamental and emergent targets of study in pharmacology from the viewpoint of drug metabolism and delivery, a better molecular understanding of organ vasculature-bed heterogeneity may lead to better strategies for novel vascular-targeted treatments to fight against hitherto intractable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Minami
- Div. of Molecular and Vascular Biology, IRDA, Kumamoto University
| | | | - Tsutomu Kume
- Div. of Molecular and Vascular Biology, IRDA, Kumamoto University.,Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute, Northwestern University School of Medicine
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Peng X, Wang X, Fan M, Zhao J, Lin L, Liu J. Plasma levels of von Willebrand factor in type 2 diabetes patients with and without cardiovascular diseases: A meta-analysis. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2020; 36:e3193. [PMID: 31145835 DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.3193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Chronic vascular complications are the major causes of death and disability of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. von Willebrand factor (vWF) is involved in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Previous studies showed elevated plasma levels of vWF in T2DM patients with CVD, but the association has not been validated. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare plasma levels of vWF in T2DM patients with and without CVD. We performed a meta-analysis based on published case-control studies of vWF in T2DM patients with and without CVD indexed in PubMed and other databases updated to April 2018. After independently assessing methodological quality and extracting data, 9 eligible studies were obtained including 576 cases and 632 controls. The standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using random-effects model. Meta-analysis showed that plasma level of vWF was significantly higher in T2DM patients with CVD than T2DM patients without CVD (SMD = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.32-0.90; P < .00001). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results. Plasma levels of vWF are significantly elevated in patients with T2DM complicated by CVD. This study helps further characterize the prognostic value of vWF for cardiovascular complications in T2DM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Peng
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- Graduate School, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Xia Wang
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Mengge Fan
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- Graduate School, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Junyu Zhao
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Liao Lin
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Ju Liu
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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Sun Z, Xie Q, Pan J, Niu N. Cadmium regulates von Willebrand factor and occludin expression in glomerular endothelial cells of mice in a TNF-α-dependent manner. Ren Fail 2019; 41:354-362. [PMID: 31057027 PMCID: PMC6507816 DOI: 10.1080/0886022x.2019.1604383] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant that leads to nephrotoxicity. However, the mechanisms of Cd-induced glomerular injury have not been fully clarified. Von Willebrand factor (vWF) and occludin are important endothelial cell markers in renal vasculature. In this study, the effects of Cd on the vWF and occludin expression in mouse glomeruli was investigated. Objectives: The goal of this study was to analyze the expression of von Willebrand factor and occludin in glomerular endothelial cells of tumor necrosis factor-α−/− (TNF-α−/−) mice after treatment with Cd. Material and methods: C57BL6/J wild-type (WT) mice and TNF-α−/− mice (n = 6) were treated with Cd, and the kidney tissues were collected. The expression of von Willebrand factor and occludin was detected by using quantitative real-time PCR, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. In vitro, Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used to examine the regulatory role of TNF-α on expression of von Willebrand factor and occludin. Results: We found that Cd significantly increases mRNA and protein expressions of von Willebrand factor and occludin in TNF-α−/− mice, but not in WT mice. In vitro, Cd significantly increased mRNA and protein expression of von Willebrand factor and occludin in HUVECs with TNF-α small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection. Conclusions: These results suggest that TNF-α acts to balance homeostasis of glomerular endothelium after Cd treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongguo Sun
- a College of Life Sciences , Shandong Normal University , Jinan , China.,b Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital , Shandong University , Jinan , China
| | - Qi Xie
- b Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital , Shandong University , Jinan , China
| | - Jie Pan
- a College of Life Sciences , Shandong Normal University , Jinan , China
| | - Na Niu
- c Department of Pediatrics , Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University , Jinan , China
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Mojiri A, Alavi P, Lorenzana Carrillo MA, Nakhaei-Nejad M, Sergi CM, Thebaud B, Aird WC, Jahroudi N. Endothelial cells of different organs exhibit heterogeneity in von Willebrand factor expression in response to hypoxia. Atherosclerosis 2019; 282:1-10. [PMID: 30665023 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS We have previously demonstrated that in response to hypoxia, von Willebrand factor (VWF) expression is upregulated in lung and heart endothelial cells both in vitro and in vivo, but not in kidney endothelial cells. The aim of our current study was to determine whether endothelial cells of different organs employ distinct molecular mechanisms to mediate VWF response to hypoxia. METHODS We used cultured human primary lung, heart and kidney endothelial cells to determine the activation of endogenous VWF as well as exogenously expressed VWF promoter in response to hypoxia. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and siRNA knockdown analyses were used to determine the roles of VWF promoter associated transacting factors in mediating its hypoxia response. Platelet aggregates formations in vascular beds of mice were used as a marker for potential functional consequences of hypoxia-induced VWF upregulation in vivo. RESULTS Our analyses demonstrated that while Yin Yang 1 (YY1) and specificity protein 1 (Sp1) participate in the hypoxia-induced upregulation of VWF specifically in lung endothelial cells, GATA6 mediates this process specifically in heart endothelial cells. In both cell types, the response to hypoxia involves the decreased association of the NFIB repressor with the VWF promoter, and the increased acetylation of the promoter-associated histone H4. In mice exposed to hypoxia, the upregulation of VWF expression was concomitant with the presence of thrombi in heart and lung, but not kidney vascular beds. CONCLUSIONS Heart and lung endothelial cells demonstrated VWF upregulation in response to hypoxia, using distinct mechanisms, while this response was lacking in kidney endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahita Mojiri
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Parnian Alavi
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | | | | | - Consolato M Sergi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Bernard Thebaud
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute & CHEO Research Institute, Pediatrics, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - William C Aird
- Center for Vascular Biology Research and Division of Molecular and Vascular Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nadia Jahroudi
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
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Nakhaei-Nejad M, Farhan M, Mojiri A, Jabbari H, Murray AG, Jahroudi N. Regulation of von Willebrand Factor Gene in Endothelial Cells That Are Programmed to Pluripotency and Differentiated Back to Endothelial Cells. Stem Cells 2019; 37:542-554. [PMID: 30682218 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cells play a central role in physiological function and pathophysiology of blood vessels in health and disease. However, the molecular mechanism that establishes the endothelial phenotype, and contributes to its signature cell type-specific gene expression, is not yet understood. We studied the regulation of a highly endothelial-specific gene, von Willebrand factor (VWF), in induced pluripotent stem cells generated from primary endothelial cells (human umbilical vein endothelial cells [HUVEC] into a pluripotent state [HiPS]) and subsequently differentiated back into endothelial cells. This allowed us to explore how VWF expression is regulated when the endothelial phenotype is revoked (endothelial cells to HiPS), and re-established (HiPS back to endothelial cells [EC-Diff]). HiPS were generated from HUVECs, their pluripotency established, and then differentiated back to endothelial cells. We established phenotypic characteristics and robust angiogenic function of EC-Diff. Gene array analyses, VWF chromatin modifications, and transacting factors binding assays were performed on the three cell types (HUVEC, HiPS, and EC-Diff). The results demonstrated that generally cohorts of transacting factors that function as transcriptional activators, and those that contribute to histone acetylation and DNA demethylation, were significantly decreased in HiPS compared with HUVECs and EC-Diff. In contrast, there were significant increases in the gene expression levels of epigenetic modifiers that function as methyl transferases in HiPS compared with endothelial cells. The results demonstrated that alterations in chromatin modifications of the VWF gene, in addition to expression and binding of transacting factors that specifically function as activators, are responsible for establishing endothelial specific regulation of the VWF gene. Stem Cells 2019;37:542-554.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maikel Farhan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anahita Mojiri
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Hosna Jabbari
- Department of Computer Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Allan G Murray
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nadia Jahroudi
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Chen X, Li L, Liu F, Hoh J, Kapron CM, Liu J. Cadmium Induces Glomerular Endothelial Cell–Specific Expression of Complement Factor H via the −1635 AP-1 Binding Site. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 202:1210-1218. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1800081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Nagai N, Ohguchi H, Nakaki R, Matsumura Y, Kanki Y, Sakai J, Aburatani H, Minami T. Downregulation of ERG and FLI1 expression in endothelial cells triggers endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007826. [PMID: 30500808 PMCID: PMC6291168 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cell (EC) plasticity in pathological settings has recently been recognized as a driver of disease progression. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), in which ECs acquire mesenchymal properties, has been described for a wide range of pathologies, including cancer. However, the mechanism regulating EndMT in the tumor microenvironment and the contribution of EndMT in tumor progression are not fully understood. Here, we found that combined knockdown of two ETS family transcription factors, ERG and FLI1, induces EndMT coupled with dynamic epigenetic changes in ECs. Genome-wide analyses revealed that ERG and FLI1 are critical transcriptional activators for EC-specific genes, among which microRNA-126 partially contributes to blocking the induction of EndMT. Moreover, we demonstrated that ERG and FLI1 expression is downregulated in ECs within tumors by soluble factors enriched in the tumor microenvironment. These data provide new insight into the mechanism of EndMT, functions of ERG and FLI1 in ECs, and EC behavior in pathological conditions. Differentiated cells possess unique characteristics to maintain vital activities. However, cells occasionally show abnormal behavior in pathological settings due to dysregulated gene expression. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a phenomenon in which endothelial cells lose their characteristics and acquire mesenchymal-like properties. Although EndMT is observed in various diseases including cancer, and augments fibrosis and vascular defects, the mechanism of EndMT induction is not fully understood. Here, we show that EndMT is triggered via reduced expression of ERG and FLI1, which have recently been recognized as pivotal transcription factors in endothelial cells (ECs). Mechanistically, ERG and FLI1 activate EC-specific genes and repress mesenchymal-like genes via epigenetic regulation to prevent EndMT. Furthermore, we demonstrate that microRNA-126, which is specifically expressed in ECs, is the key downstream target of ERG/FLI1 for regulating EndMT. Finally, we show that ERG and FLI1 expression is decreased in ECs within tumors, suggesting that EndMT is induced in the tumor microenvironment. Collectively, these findings indicate that loss of ERG and FLI1 leads to the aberrant behavior of ECs in pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nao Nagai
- Division of Molecular and Vascular Biology, IRDA, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroto Ohguchi
- Division of Disease Epigenetics, IRDA, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakaki
- Division of Genome Sciences, RCAST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Matsumura
- Division of Metabolic Medicine, RCAST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuharu Kanki
- Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Juro Sakai
- Division of Metabolic Medicine, RCAST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Aburatani
- Division of Genome Sciences, RCAST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Minami
- Division of Molecular and Vascular Biology, IRDA, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Liu X, Wang B, Ding H, Shi H, Liu J, Sun H. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in combination with SonoVue induces cytotoxicity of human renal glomerular endothelial cells via repression of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Ren Fail 2018; 40:458-465. [PMID: 30122107 PMCID: PMC6104615 DOI: 10.1080/0886022x.2018.1487868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and SonoVue have been used widely for diagnosis and therapeutic treatment. The effects of LIPUS and SonoVue on the microvascular system and underlying molecular mechanisms have not been established. METHODS Cultured human renal glomerular endothelial cells (HRGECs) were treated with 5-min ultrasonic irradiation, 20% SonoVue or the combination of both treatments. Cell proliferation, viablity, and apoptosis were measured by MTT assay, Trypan blue exclusion assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Activation of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) were examined by Western blot. RESULTS We found that LIPUS and SonoVue alone do not induce cytotoxicity of HRGECs; however, the combination of the two treatments reduces cell proliferation and increases cell death. In addition, the combination of LIPUS and SonoVue suppressed the activation of ERK 1/2 in HRGRCs. With pretreatment of the inhibitor of ERK1/2 signaling, PD98059, LIPUS, and SonoVue does not induce additional cell death and inhibition of proliferation. CONCLUSIONS LIPUS combined with SonoVue induces cytotoxicity of HRGECs via repression of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu Liu
- a Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University , Jinan , China.,b Department of Cardiography , Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University , Yantai , China
| | - Bei Wang
- c Department of Ultrasonography , Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University , Jinan , China
| | - Hongyu Ding
- c Department of Ultrasonography , Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University , Jinan , China
| | - Hao Shi
- d Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital , Shandong University , Jinan , China
| | - Ju Liu
- e Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University , Jinan , China
| | - Hongjun Sun
- e Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University , Jinan , China
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GATA3-induced vWF upregulation in the lung adenocarcinoma vasculature. Oncotarget 2017; 8:110517-110529. [PMID: 29299165 PMCID: PMC5746400 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Aberrant expression of genes expressed preferentially in the lung tumor vasculature may yield clues for prognosis and treatment. Von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a large multifunctional glycoprotein with a well-known function in hemostasis. However, vWF has been reported to exert an anti-tumor effect, independent of its role in hemostasis. We investigated the expression of vWF in LAC through immunohistochemical staining of tumor tissue microarrays (TMAs). We found that vWF was overexpressed preferentially in the tumor vasculature of LAC compared with the adjacent tissue vasculature. Consistently, elevated vWF expression was found in endothelial cells (ECs) of fresh human LAC tissues and transplanted mouse LAC tissues. To understand the mechanism underlying vWF up-regulation in LAC vessels, we established a co-culture system. In this system, conditioned media (CM) collected from A549 cells increased vWF expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), suggesting enhanced expression is regulated by the LAC secretome. Subsequent studies revealed that the transcription factor GATA3, but not ERG, a known regulator of vWF transcription in vascular cells, mediated the vWF elevation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays validated that GATA3 binds directly to the +220 GATA binding motif on the human vWF promoter and A549 conditioned media significantly increases the binding of GATA3. Taken together, we demonstrate that vWF expression in ECs of LAC is elevated by the cancer cell-derived secretome through enhanced GATA3-mediated transcription.
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21
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Meiring M, Allers W, Le Roux E. Tissue factor: A potent stimulator of Von Willebrand factor synthesis by human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Int J Med Sci 2016; 13:759-764. [PMID: 27766025 PMCID: PMC5069411 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.15688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation and dysfunction of endothelial cells are thought to be triggers for the secretion of Von Willebrand factor. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and the coagulation factors, tissue factor and thrombin on the release and cleavage potential of ultra-large von Willebrand factor (ULVWF) and its cleavage protease by cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). HUVEC were treated with IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, tissue factor (TF) and thrombin, and combinations thereof for 24 hours under static conditions. The cells were then exposed to shear stress after which the VWF-propeptide levels and the VWF cleavage protease, ADAMTS13 content were measured. All treatments and their combinations, excluding IL-6, significantly stimulated the secretion of VWF from HUVEC. The VWF secretion from the HUVEC was stimulated most by the combination of TF with TNF-α. Slightly lower levels of ADAMTS13 secretion were found with all treatments. This may explain the thrombogenicity of patients with inflammation where extremely high VWF levels and slightly lower ADAMTS13 levels are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muriel Meiring
- Department of Haematology and Cell Biology, University of the Free State Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - W Allers
- Department of Haematology and Cell Biology, University of the Free State Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - E Le Roux
- Department of Haematology and Cell Biology, University of the Free State Bloemfontein, South Africa
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Hoesel B, Malkani N, Hochreiter B, Basílio J, Sughra K, Ilyas M, Schmid JA. Sequence-function correlations and dynamics of ERG isoforms. ERG8 is the black sheep of the family. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2015; 1863:205-218. [PMID: 26554849 PMCID: PMC4716293 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2015.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor ERG is known to have divergent roles. On one hand, it acts as differentiation factor of endothelial cells. On the other hand, it has pathological roles in various cancers. Genomic analyses of the ERG gene show that it gives rise to several isoforms. However, functional differences between these isoforms, representing potential reasons for distinct effects in diverse cell types have not been addressed in detail so far. We set out to investigate the major protein isoforms and found that ERG8 contains a unique C-terminus. This isoform, when expressed as GFP-fusion protein, localized mainly to the cytosol, whereas the other major isoforms (ERG1-4) were predominantly nuclear. Using site directed mutagenesis and laser scanning microscopy of live cells, we could identify nuclear localization (NLS) and nuclear export sequences (NES). These analyses indicated that ERG8 lacks a classical NLS and the DNA-binding domain, but holds an additional NES within its distinctive C-terminus. All the tested isoforms were shuttling between nucleus and cytosol and showed a high degree of mobility. ERG’s 1 to 4 were transcriptionally active on ERG-promoter elements whereas ERG8 was inactive, which is in line with the absence of a DNA-binding domain. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy revealed that ERG8 can bind to the transcriptionally active ERG’s. Knockdown of ERG8 in endothelial cells resulted in upregulation of endogenous ERG-transcriptional activity implying ERG8 as an inhibitor of the active ERG isoforms. Quantitative PCR revealed a different ratio of active ERG’s to ERG8 in cancer- versus non-transformed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Hoesel
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Naila Malkani
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Hochreiter
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - José Basílio
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Kalsoom Sughra
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Muhammad Ilyas
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes A Schmid
- Dept. of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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Zhang C, Liu Q, Dong F, Li L, Du J, Xie Q, Hu H, Yan S, Zhou X, Li C, Lobe CG, Liu J. Catalpol downregulates vascular endothelial‑cadherin expression and induces vascular hyperpermeability. Mol Med Rep 2015; 13:373-8. [PMID: 26549479 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.4522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Catalpol, an iridiod glucoside isolated from Rehmannia glutinosa, has been reported to possess anti‑inflammatory properties. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of catalpol on vascular permeability. Using Transwell permeability assays and measurements of trans‑endothelial electrical resistance (TEER), it was demonstrated that 1 mM catalpol induces a significant increase in the permeability of the monolayers of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Western blotting and immunofluorescence demonstrated that catalpol inhibits the expression of vascular endothelial (VE)‑cadherin, the key component of adherens junctions, but not occludin, the major constituent of tight junctions. In addition, catalpol inhibits the ETS transcription factor ERG, a positive regulator of VE‑cadherin. Knockdown of ERG expression compromised the catalpol‑induced reduction of TEER in HUVECs. The present study revealed a novel effect of catalpol on vascular permeability and gave insight into the multifaceted roles of catalpol in inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiqing Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Qingfa Liu
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Fengyun Dong
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Liqun Li
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Juan Du
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Qi Xie
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Hesheng Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Suhua Yan
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Xia Zhou
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Changsheng Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | | | - Ju Liu
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
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Li Y, Li L, Dong F, Guo L, Hou Y, Hu H, Yan S, Zhou X, Liao L, Allen TD, Liu JU. Plasma von Willebrand factor level is transiently elevated in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction. Exp Ther Med 2015; 10:1743-1749. [PMID: 26640545 PMCID: PMC4665708 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2015.2721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a plasma glycoprotein that plays an essential role in hemostasis by supporting platelet adhesion and thrombus formation in response to vascular injury. Plasma levels of vWF are an independent risk factor for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI); however, clinical data have demonstrated a marked variation of vWF levels in patients with AMI, the reason for which has not yet been identified. In the present study, a rat model of ST-segment elevation AMI was established, and cardiac and peripheral blood was collected for a time-course examination of the plasma levels of vWF and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The level of vWF in the blood plasma increased, peaked at 1 h and decreased to normal levels by day 7 following AMI, while the level of TNF-α peaked at 24 h and remained elevated until day 7. The effects of TNF-α on vWF secretion and expression were examined in cultured human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). TNF-α treatment increased vWF secretion from the HUVECs but inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of vWF in the HUVECs. These results indicate that vWF secretion from endothelial cells is transiently elevated following AMI, and then decreases as the expression of vWF is inhibited by TNF-α. The present study increases the understanding of the pathophysiology of vWF and indicates that the determination of vWF levels may be useful in the clinical evaluation of AMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Children's Health Care Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Liqun Li
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Fengyun Dong
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Ling Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Yinglong Hou
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Hesheng Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Suhua Yan
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojun Zhou
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Lin Liao
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Thaddeus D Allen
- G.W. Hooper Research Foundation, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0552, USA
| | - J U Liu
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
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Low-Dose Cadmium Upregulates VEGF Expression in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:10508-21. [PMID: 26343694 PMCID: PMC4586624 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120910508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2015] [Revised: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal and environmental toxin. Exposure to Cd has been associated with a variety of human cancers. In this study, we performed in vitro assays to examine the effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) on A549 cells, a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line. Cd does not affect proliferation, migration, or apoptosis of A549 cells at concentrations of 0.1-10 μM. At 0.5 and 1 μM, Cd increases the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively), but not basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) in A549 cells. The conditioned media were collected from the A549 cells treated with 1 μM Cd and were co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Upon treatment with the conditioned media, the proliferation and migration of HUVECs significantly increased (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively), while apoptosis remained unchanged. In addition, 1 μM Cd increases the level of hypoxia inducible factor 1-α (HIF1-α), which is a positive regulator of VEGF expression. Although low-dose Cd does not directly affect the growth of lung adenocarcinoma cells, it might facilitate the development of tumors through its pro-angiogenic effects.
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Using transgenic reporter assays to functionally characterize enhancers in animals. Genomics 2015; 106:185-192. [PMID: 26072435 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2015.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Enhancers or cis-regulatory modules play an instructive role in regulating gene expression during animal development and in response to the environment. Despite their importance, we only have an incomplete map of enhancers in the genome and our understanding of the mechanisms governing their function is still limited. Recent advances in genomics provided powerful tools to generate genome-wide maps of potential enhancers. However, most of these methods are based on indirect measures of enhancer activity and have to be followed by functional testing. Animal transgenesis has been a valuable method to functionally test and characterize enhancers in vivo. In this review I discuss how different transgenic strategies are utilized to characterize enhancers in model organisms focusing on studies in Drosophila and mouse. I will further discuss recent large-scale transgenic efforts to systematically identify and catalog enhancers as well as highlight the challenges and future directions in the field.
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Du L, Dong F, Guo L, Hou Y, Yi F, Liu J, Xu D. Interleukin-1β increases permeability and upregulates the expression of vascular endothelial-cadherin in human renal glomerular endothelial cells. Mol Med Rep 2015; 11:3708-14. [PMID: 25572875 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The renal glomerular capillary endothelium is part of the glomerular filtration barrier and is involved in acute and chronic inflammation of the glomerulus. Glomerular endothelial cells are a unique type of microvascular cell, which remain to be fully characterized. The aim of the present study was to examine the permeability of glomerular endothelial cells and their responses to interleukin (IL)‑1β, a pro‑inflammatory cytokine. Human glomerular endothelial cell (HRGEC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayers were examined using a Transwell permeability assay, transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and by determining the expression of the adhesion molecule, vascular endothelial (VE)‑cadherin, in the absence or presence of 10 ng/ml IL‑1β. Compared with the HUVECs, the HRGECs demonstrated higher permeability, lower TEER and reduced expression of VE‑cadherin. IL‑1β induced an increase in the permeability and a decrease in the TEER of the HRGECs, however, to a lesser extent compared with the HUVECs. Following IL‑1β treatment, the expression of VE‑cadherin was increased in the HRGECs and decreased in the HUVECs. These results suggested that HRGECs have distinct biological properties and specific gene expression features in response to IL‑1β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linna Du
- Department of Nephrology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Fengyun Dong
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Ling Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Yinglong Hou
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Fan Yi
- Department of Pharmacology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Ju Liu
- Laboratory of Microvascular Medicine, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Dongmei Xu
- Department of Nephrology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
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Liu J, Dong F, Fung I, Chen E, Allen TD, Deutsch U, Lobe CG. Postnatal Notch1 activation induces T‑cell malignancy in conditional and inducible mouse models. Int J Oncol 2014; 45:1997-2004. [PMID: 25175815 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The Notch1 signaling pathway is essential for hematopoietic development. However, the effects of postnatal activation of Notch1 signaling on hematopoietic system is not yet fully understood. We previously generated ZEG‑IC‑Notch1 transgenic mice that have a floxed β‑geo/stop signal between a CMV promoter and intracellular domain of Notch1 (IC‑Notch1). Constitutively active IC‑Notch1 is silent until the introduction of Cre recombinase. In this study, endothelial/hematopoietic specific expression of IC‑Notch1 in double transgenic ZEG‑IC‑Notch1/Tie2‑Cre embryos induced embryonic lethality at E9.5 with defects in vascular system but not in hematopoietic system. Inducible IC‑Notch1 expression in adult mice was achieved by using tetracycline regulated Cre system. The ZEG‑IC‑Notch1/Tie2‑tTA/tet‑O‑Cre triple transgenic mice survived embryonic development when maintained on tetracycline. Post‑natal withdrawal of tetracycline induced expression of IC‑Notch1 transgene in hematopoietic cells of adult mice. The triple transgenic mice displayed extensive T‑cell infiltration in multiple organs and T‑cell malignancy of lymph nodes. In addition, the protein levels of p53 and alternative reading frame (ARF) were decreased in lymphoma‑like neoplasms from the triple transgenic mice while their mRNA expression remained unchanged, suggesting that IC‑Notch1 might repress ARF‑p53 pathway by a post‑transcriptional mechanism. This study demonstrated that activation of constitutive Notch1 signaling after embryonic development alters adult hematopoiesis and induces T‑cell malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Liu
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Fengyun Dong
- Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Iris Fung
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Division, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Edwin Chen
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thaddeus D Allen
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Division, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Urban Deutsch
- Theodor‑Kocher‑Institute, University of Berne, 3012 Berne, Switzerland
| | - Corrinne G Lobe
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Division, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada
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Dickel DE, Zhu Y, Nord AS, Wylie JN, Akiyama JA, Afzal V, Plajzer-Frick I, Kirkpatrick A, Göttgens B, Bruneau BG, Visel A, Pennacchio LA. Function-based identification of mammalian enhancers using site-specific integration. Nat Methods 2014; 11:566-71. [PMID: 24658141 PMCID: PMC4008384 DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.2886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The accurate and comprehensive identification of functional regulatory sequences in mammalian genomes remains a major challenge. Here we describe site-specific integration fluorescence-activated cell sorting followed by sequencing (SIF-seq), an unbiased, medium-throughput functional assay for the discovery of distant-acting enhancers. Targeted single-copy genomic integration into pluripotent cells, reporter assays and flow cytometry are coupled with high-throughput DNA sequencing to enable parallel screening of large numbers of DNA sequences. By functionally interrogating >500 kilobases (kb) of mouse and human sequence in mouse embryonic stem cells for enhancer activity we identified enhancers at pluripotency loci including NANOG. In in vitro-differentiated cardiomyocytes and neural progenitor cells, we identified cardiac enhancers and neuronal enhancers, respectively. SIF-seq is a powerful and flexible method for de novo functional identification of mammalian enhancers in a potentially wide variety of cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane E Dickel
- Genomics Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Yiwen Zhu
- Genomics Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Alex S Nord
- Genomics Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - John N Wylie
- 1] Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] Roddenberry Center for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine at Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jennifer A Akiyama
- Genomics Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Veena Afzal
- Genomics Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Ingrid Plajzer-Frick
- Genomics Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Aileen Kirkpatrick
- 1] Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. [2] Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Berthold Göttgens
- 1] Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. [2] Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Benoit G Bruneau
- 1] Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] Roddenberry Center for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine at Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA. [3] Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA. [4] Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Axel Visel
- 1] Genomics Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA. [2] US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California, USA. [3] School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, California, USA
| | - Len A Pennacchio
- 1] Genomics Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA. [2] US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California, USA
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Umemoto E, Takeda A, Jin S, Luo Z, Nakahogi N, Hayasaka H, Lee CM, Tanaka T, Miyasaka M. Dynamic changes in endothelial cell adhesion molecule nepmucin/CD300LG expression under physiological and pathological conditions. PLoS One 2013; 8:e83681. [PMID: 24376728 PMCID: PMC3871519 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cells often change their phenotype to adapt to their local microenvironment. Here we report that the vascular endothelial adhesion molecule nepmucin/CD300LG, which is implicated in lymphocyte binding and transmigration, shows unique expression patterns in the microvascular endothelial cells of different tissues. Under physiological conditions, nepmucin/CD300LG was constitutively and selectively expressed at the luminal surface of the small arterioles, venules, and capillaries of most tissues, but it was only weakly expressed in the microvessels of the splenic red pulp and thymic medulla. Furthermore, it was barely detectable in immunologically privileged sites such as the brain, testis, and uterus. The nepmucin/CD300LG expression rapidly decreased in lymph nodes receiving acute inflammatory signals, and this loss was mediated at least in part by TNF-α. It was also down-regulated in tumors and tumor-draining lymph nodes, indicating that nepmucin/CD300LG expression is negatively regulated by locally produced signals under these circumstances. In contrast, nepmucin/CD300LG was induced in the high endothelial venule-like blood vessels of chronically inflamed pancreatic islets in an animal model of non-obese diabetes. Interestingly, the activated CD4+ T cells infiltrating the inflamed pancreas expressed high levels of the nepmucin/CD300LG ligand(s), supporting the idea that nepmucin/CD300LG and its ligand interactions are locally involved in pathological T cell trafficking. Taken together, these observations indicate that the nepmucin/CD300LG expression in microvascular endothelial cells is influenced by factor(s) that are locally produced in tissues, and that its expression is closely correlated with the level of leukocyte infiltration in certain tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiji Umemoto
- Laboratory of Immunodynamics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunodynamics, World Premier International Research Center Initiative-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Akira Takeda
- Laboratory of Immunodynamics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Soojung Jin
- Laboratory of Immunodynamics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Zhijuan Luo
- Laboratory of Immunodynamics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naoki Nakahogi
- Laboratory of Immunodynamics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haruko Hayasaka
- Laboratory of Immunodynamics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunodynamics, World Premier International Research Center Initiative-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Chun Man Lee
- Medical Center for Translational Research, Osaka University Hospital, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Tanaka
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, School of Pharmacy, Hyogo University of Health Sciences, Kobe, Japan
| | - Masayuki Miyasaka
- Laboratory of Immunodynamics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Immunodynamics, World Premier International Research Center Initiative-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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Johansson MW, Kruger SJ, Schiebler ML, Evans MD, Sorkness RL, Denlinger LC, Busse WW, Jarjour NN, Montgomery RR, Mosher DF, Fain SB. Markers of vascular perturbation correlate with airway structural change in asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2013; 188:167-78. [PMID: 23855693 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201301-0185oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Air trapping and ventilation defects on imaging are characteristics of asthma. Airway wall thickening occurs in asthma and is associated with increased bronchial vascularity and vascular permeability. Vascular endothelial cell products have not been explored as a surrogate to mark structural airway changes in asthma. OBJECTIVES Determine whether reporters of vascular endothelial cell perturbation correlate with airway imaging metrics in patients with asthma of varying severity. METHODS Plasma from Severe Asthma Research Program subjects was analyzed by ELISAs for soluble von Willebrand factor mature protein (VWF:Ag) and propeptide (VWFpp), P-selectin, and platelet factor 4. Additional subjects were analyzed over 48 hours after whole-lung antigen challenge. We calculated ventilation defect volume by hyperpolarized helium-3 magnetic resonance imaging and areas of low signal density by multidetector computed tomography (less than -856 Hounsfield units [HU] at functional residual capacity and -950 HU at total lung capacity [TLC]). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS VWFpp and VWFpp/Ag ratio correlated with and predicted greater percentage defect volume on hyperpolarized helium-3 magnetic resonance imaging. P-selectin correlated with and predicted greater area of low density on chest multidetector computed tomography less than -950 HU at TLC. Platelet factor 4 did not correlate. Following whole-lung antigen challenge, variation in VWFpp, VWFpp/Ag, and P-selectin among time-points was less than that among subjects, indicating stability and repeatability of the measurements. CONCLUSIONS Plasma VWFpp and P-selectin may be useful as surrogates of functional and structural defects that are evident on imaging. The results raise important questions about why VWFpp and P-selectin are associated specifically with different imaging abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mats W Johansson
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, 4285A Medical Sciences Center, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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Abstract
In this issue of Blood, Yuan et al provide evidence that processing of the first intronic sequence within the von Willebrand factor (vWF) gene facilitates expression by endothelial cells regardless of the source of the intron, while intron processing is irrelevant for vWF expression by megakaryocytes.(1)
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Mojiri A, Nakhaii-Nejad M, Phan WL, Kulak S, Radziwon-Balicka A, Jurasz P, Michelakis E, Jahroudi N. Hypoxia results in upregulation and de novo activation of von Willebrand factor expression in lung endothelial cells. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2013; 33:1329-38. [PMID: 23580145 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.113.301359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Increased von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels in lungs are associated with diseases such as pulmonary hypertension. The objective of our study was to determine the mechanism of increased VWF levels in conditions, such as hypoxia, which contribute to pulmonary hypertension. APPROACH AND RESULTS We have previously reported generation of transgenic mice that express LacZ transgene under the regulation of lung- and brain-specific transcriptional regulatory elements of the VWF gene. Hypoxia exposure of these transgenic mice resulted in increased VWF and LacZ mRNA levels as well as redistribution of their expression from primarily larger vessels in the lungs to microvessels. Exposure of cultured lung microvascular endothelial cells to hypoxia demonstrated that VWF upregulation was accompanied by increased platelet binding. Transcription upregulation was mediated through inhibition of the repressor nuclear factor-IB association with the VWF promoter, and increased nuclear translocation of the transcription factor YY1 and association with its cognate binding site on the VWF gene. Knockdown of YY1 expression abolished the hypoxia-induced upregulation and reduced basal level of VWF. CONCLUSIONS These analyses demonstrate that hypoxia induces a phenotypic shift, accompanied by modulation of nuclear factor-IB and YY1 activities, in microvascular endothelial cells of the lungs to support VWF promoter activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahita Mojiri
- Departments of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Role of RNA splicing in mediating lineage-specific expression of the von Willebrand factor gene in the endothelium. Blood 2013; 121:4404-12. [PMID: 23529929 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2012-12-473785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that the first intron of the human von Willebrand factor (vWF) is required for gene expression in the endothelium of transgenic mice. Based on this finding, we hypothesized that RNA splicing plays a role in mediating vWF expression in the vasculature. To address this question, we used transient transfection assays in human endothelial cells and megakaryocytes with intron-containing and intronless human vWF promoter-luciferase constructs. Next, we generated knockin mice in which LacZ was targeted to the endogenous mouse vWF locus in the absence or presence of the native first intron or heterologous introns from the human β-globin, mouse Down syndrome critical region 1, or hagfish coagulation factor X genes. In both the in vitro assays and the knockin mice, the loss of the first intron of vWF resulted in a significant reduction of reporter gene expression in endothelial cells but not megakaryocytes. This effect was rescued to varying degrees by the introduction of a heterologous intron. Intron-mediated enhancement of expression was mediated at a posttranscriptional level. Together, these findings implicate a role for intronic splicing in mediating lineage-specific expression of vWF in the endothelium.
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35
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Kamat P, Juon B, Jossen B, Gajanayake T, Rieben R, Vögelin E. Assessment of endothelium and inflammatory response at the onset of reperfusion injury in hand surgery. JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION-LONDON 2012; 9:18. [PMID: 22583529 PMCID: PMC3404016 DOI: 10.1186/1476-9255-9-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2011] [Accepted: 05/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Activation of the endothelium, complement activation and generation of cytokines are known events during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) that mediate tissue injury. Our aim was to elucidate their respective participation at the onset of the reperfusion phase. Tourniquet application in hand surgery causes short-term ischemia, followed by reperfusion and was therefore used as the model in this study. Methods Ten patients were included in the study after obtaining informed consent. A tourniquet was placed on the upper arm and inflated to 250 mmHg for 116 ± 16 min, during which the surgery was performed. Venous blood and tissue samples from the surgical area were taken at baseline as well as 0, 2, and 10 min after reperfusion and analyzed for the following parameters: Endothelial integrity and/or activation were analyzed by measuring heparan sulfate and syndecan-1 in serum, and vWF, heparan sulfate proteoglycan as well as CD31on tissue. Complement activation was determined by C3a and C4d levels in plasma, levels of C1-inhibitor in serum, and IgG, IgM, C3b/c, and C4b/c deposition on tissue. Cytokines and growth factors IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, G-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, TNFα, VEGF, and PDGF bb were measured in the serum. Finally, CK-MM levels were determined in plasma as a measure for muscle necrosis. Results Markers for endothelial activation and/or integrity as well as complement activation showed no significant changes until 10 min reperfusion. Among the measured cytokines, IL-6, IL-7, IL-17, TNFα, GM-CSF, VEGF, and PDGF bb were significantly increased at 10 min reperfusion with respect to baseline. CK-MM showed a rise from baseline at the onset of reperfusion (p < 0.001) and dropped again at 2 min (p < 0.01) reperfusion, suggesting ischemic muscle damage. Conclusions In this clinical model of I/R injury no damage to the endothelium, antibody deposition or complement activation were observed during early reperfusion. However, an increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors was shown, suggesting a contribution of these molecules in the early stages of I/R injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranitha Kamat
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 50 3008, Bern, Switzerland.
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Embryonic stem cell differentiation system for evaluating gene functions involved in physiological megakaryocytic differentiation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 419:477-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 02/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Epigenetically coordinated GATA2 binding is necessary for endothelium-specific endomucin expression. EMBO J 2011; 30:2582-95. [PMID: 21666600 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2011.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2010] [Accepted: 05/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
GATA2 is well recognized as a key transcription factor and regulator of cell-type specificity and differentiation. Here, we carried out comparative chromatin immunoprecipitation with comprehensive sequencing (ChIP-seq) to determine genome-wide occupancy of GATA2 in endothelial cells and erythroids, and compared the occupancy to the respective gene expression profile in each cell type. Although GATA2 was commonly expressed in both cell types, different GATA2 bindings and distinct cell-specific gene expressions were observed. By using the ChIP-seq with epigenetic histone modifications and chromatin conformation capture assays; we elucidated the mechanistic regulation of endothelial-specific GATA2-mediated endomucin gene expression, that was regulated by the endothelial-specific chromatin loop with a GATA2-associated distal enhancer and core promoter. Knockdown of endomucin markedly attenuated endothelial cell growth, migration and tube formation. Moreover, abrogation of GATA2 in endothelium demonstrated not only a reduction of endothelial-specific markers, but also induction of mesenchymal transition promoting gene expression. Our findings provide new insights into the correlation of endothelial-expressed GATA2 binding, epigenetic modification, and the determination of endothelial cell specificity.
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RhoJ is an endothelial cell-restricted Rho GTPase that mediates vascular morphogenesis and is regulated by the transcription factor ERG. Blood 2011; 118:1145-53. [PMID: 21628409 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-10-315275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
ERG is a member of the ETS transcription factor family that is highly enriched in endothelial cells (ECs). To further define the role of ERG in regulating EC function, we evaluated the effect of ERG knock-down on EC lumen formation in 3D collagen matrices. Blockade of ERG using siRNA completely interferes with EC lumen formation. Quantitative PCR (QPCR) was used to identify potential downstream gene targets of ERG. In particular, we identified RhoJ as the Rho GTPase family member that is closely related to Cdc42 as a target of ERG. Knockdown of ERG expression in ECs led to a 75% reduction in the expression of RhoJ. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and transactivation studies demonstrated that ERG could bind to functional sites in the proximal promoter of the RhoJ gene. Knock-down of RhoJ similarly resulted in a marked reduction in the ability of ECs to form lumens. Suppression of either ERG or RhoJ during EC lumen formation was associated with a marked increase in RhoA activation and a decrease in Rac1 and Cdc42 activation and their downstream effectors. Finally, in contrast to other Rho GTPases, RhoJ exhibits a highly EC-restricted expression pattern in several different tissues, including the brain, heart, lung, and liver.
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