Vessel wall BAMBI contributes to hemostasis and thrombus stability

Expression and Function of BMP and Activin Membrane-Bound Inhibitor (BAMBI) in Chronic Liver Diseases and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BAMBI (bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane-bound inhibitor) is a transmembrane pseudoreceptor structurally related to transforming growth factor (TGF)-β type 1 receptors (TGF-β1Rs). BAMBI lacks a kinase domain and functions as a TGF-β1R antagonist. Essential processes such as cell differentiation and proliferation are regulated by TGF-β1R signaling. TGF-β is the best-studied ligand of TGF-βRs and has an eminent role in inflammation and fibrogenesis. Liver fibrosis is the end stage of almost all chronic liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and at the moment, there is no effective anti-fibrotic therapy available. Hepatic BAMBI is downregulated in rodent models of liver injury and in the fibrotic liver of patients, suggesting that low BAMBI has a role in liver fibrosis. Experimental evidence convincingly demonstrated that BAMBI overexpression is able to protect against liver fibrosis. Chronic liver diseases have a high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and BAMBI was shown to exert tumor-promoting as well as tumor-protective functions. This review article aims to summarize relevant studies on hepatic BAMBI expression and its role in chronic liver diseases and HCC.

miR-125a-3p aggravates ox-LDL-induced HUVEC injury through BAMBI

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in the intima of arteries. Among the known regulators of atherosclerosis, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to play critical roles in lipoprotein homeostasis and plaque formation. But the roles of microRNA-125a-3p (miR-125a-3p) in the pathogenesis of AS remain unknown. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to construct the vascular injury model of AS pathogenesis in vitro. miR-125a-3p and BMP and activin membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI) expression levels in HUVECs were then measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot. The viability and apoptosis of HUVECs were analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, TUNEL assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. The relationship between BAMBI 3'-untranslated region and miR-125a-3p was validated by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. miR-125a-3p expression was raised in HUVECs induced with ox-LDL. In HUVECs, miR-125a-3p enhanced the effects of ox-LDL treatment on repressing the viability and promoting the apoptosis of cells. Additionally, BAMBI was confirmed as a direct target of miR-125a-3p and BAMBI overexpression reversed the effects of miR-125a-3p on HUVECs. miR-125a-3p aggravates the dysfunction of HUVECs induced by ox-LDL via BAMBI, which implies that miR-125a-3p is involved in the pathogenesis of AS.

CircRNA-miRNA interactions in atherogenesis

Atherosclerosis is the major cause of coronary artery disease (CAD) which includes unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. The onset of atherogenesis, a process of atherosclerotic lesion formation in the intima of arteries, is driven by lipid accumulation, a vicious cycle of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions leading to endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) activation, and foam cell formation which further fuel plaque formation and destabilization. In recent years, there is a surge in the number of publications reporting the involvement of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and metabolic syndromes. These studies have advanced our understanding on the biological functions of circRNAs. One of the most common mechanism of action of circRNAs reported is the sponging of microRNAs (miRNAs) by binding to the miRNAs response element (MRE), thereby indirectly increases the transcription of their target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Individual networks of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA associated with atherogenesis have been extensively reported, however, there is a need to connect these findings for a complete overview. This review aims to provide an update on atherogenesis-related circRNAs and analyze the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interactions in atherogenesis. The atherogenic mechanisms and clinical relevance of each atherogenesis-related circRNA were systematically discussed for better understanding of the knowledge gap in this area.

The GPIbα intracellular tail - role in transducing VWF- and collagen/GPVI-mediated signaling

The GPIbT-VWF A1 domain interaction is essential for platelet tethering under high shear. Synergy between GPIbα and GPVI signaling machineries has been suggested previously, however its molecular mechanism remains unclear. We generated a novel GPIbα transgenic mouse (GpIbαΔsig/Δsig) by CRISPR-Cas9 technology to delete the last 24 residues of the GPIbα intracellular tail that harbors the 14-3-3 and phosphoinositide-3 kinase binding sites. GPIbαΔsig/Δsig platelets bound VWF normally under flow. However, they formed fewer filopodia on VWF/botrocetin in the presence of a oIIbI3 blocker, demonstrating that despite normal ligand binding, VWF-dependent signaling is diminished. Activation of GpIbαΔsig/Δsig platelets with ADP and thrombin was normal, but GpIbαΔsig/Δsig platelets stimulated with collagen-related-peptide (CRP) exhibited markedly decreased P-selectin exposure and eIIbI3 activation, suggesting a role for the GpIbaaintracellular tail in GPVI-mediated signaling. Consistent with this, while haemostasis was normal in GPIbαΔsig/Δsig mice, diminished tyrosine-phosphorylation, (particularly pSYK) was detected in CRP-stimulated GpIbαΔsig/Δsig platelets as well as reduced platelet spreading on CRP. Platelet responses to rhodocytin were also affected in GpIbαΔsig/Δsig platelets but to a lesser extent than those with CRP. GpIbαΔsig/Δsig platelets formed smaller aggregates than wild-type platelets on collagen-coated microchannels at low, medium and high shear. In response to both VWF and collagen binding, flow assays performed with plasma-free blood or in the presence of bIIbI3- or GPVI-blockers suggested reduced bIIbI3 activation contributes to the phenotype of the GpIbαΔsig/Δsig platelets. Together, these results reveal a new role for the intracellular tail of GPIbiiin transducing both VWF-GPIbGGand collagen-GPVI signaling events in platelets.

Endothelial Jak3 expression enhances pro-hematopoietic angiocrine function in mice

Jak3 is the only non-promiscuous member of the Jak family of secondary messengers. Studies to date have focused on understanding and targeting the cell-autonomous role of Jak3 in immunity, while functional Jak3 expression outside the hematopoietic system remains largely unreported. We show that Jak3 is expressed in endothelial cells across hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic organs, with heightened expression in the bone marrow. The bone marrow niche is understood as a network of different cell types that regulate hematopoietic function. We show that the Jak3-/- bone marrow niche is deleterious for the maintenance of long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSCs) and that JAK3-overexpressing endothelial cells have increased potential to expand LT-HSCs in vitro. This work may serve to identify a novel function for a highly specific tyrosine kinase in the bone marrow vascular niche and to further characterize the LT-HSC function of sinusoidal endothelium.

Mouse laser injury models: variations on a theme

A confluence of technological advances in genetic manipulation and molecular-based fluorescence imaging has led to the widespread adoption of laser injury models to study hemostasis and thrombosis in mice. In all animal models of hemostasis and thrombosis, detailing the nature of experimentally induced vascular injury is paramount in enabling appropriate interpretation of experimental results. A careful appraisal of the literature shows that direct laser-induced injury can result in variable degrees of vascular damage. This review will compare and contrast models of laser injury utilized in the field, with an emphasis on the mechanism and extent of injury, the use of laser injury in different vascular beds and the molecular mechanisms regulating the response to injury. All of these topics will be discussed in the context of how distinct applications of laser injury models may be viewed as representing thrombosis and/or hemostasis.

The transcription factor ERG regulates a low shear stress-induced anti-thrombotic pathway in the microvasculature

Endothelial cells actively maintain an anti-thrombotic environment; loss of this protective function may lead to thrombosis and systemic coagulopathy. The transcription factor ERG is essential to maintain endothelial homeostasis. Here, we show that inducible endothelial ERG deletion (ErgiEC-KO) in mice is associated with spontaneous thrombosis, hemorrhages and systemic coagulopathy. We find that ERG drives transcription of the anticoagulant thrombomodulin (TM), as shown by reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation. TM expression is regulated by shear stress (SS) via Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2). In vitro, ERG regulates TM expression under low SS conditions, by facilitating KLF2 binding to the TM promoter. However, ERG is dispensable for TM expression in high SS conditions. In ErgiEC-KO mice, TM expression is decreased in liver and lung microvasculature exposed to low SS but not in blood vessels exposed to high SS. Our study identifies an endogenous, vascular bed-specific anticoagulant pathway in microvasculature exposed to low SS.

Defective fibrin deposition and thrombus stability in Bambi-/- mice are mediated by elevated anticoagulant function

BACKGROUND

Bone morphogenetic and activin membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI) is a transmembrane protein related to the type I transforming growth factor- β (TGF-β) receptor family that is present on both platelets and endothelial cells (ECs). Bambi-deficient mice exhibit reduced hemostatic function and thrombus stability characterized by an increased embolization.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to delineate how BAMBI influences endothelial function and thrombus stability.

METHODS

Bambi-deficient mice were subjected to the laser-induced thrombosis model where platelet and fibrin accumulation was evaluated. Expression of thrombomodulin and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) was also assessed in these mice.

RESULTS

Thrombus instability in Bambi-/- mice was associated with a profound defect in fibrin deposition. Injection of hirudin into Bambi+/+ mice prior to thrombus formation recapitulated the Bambi-/- thrombus instability phenotype. In contrast, hirudin had no additional effect upon thrombus formation in Bambi-/- mice. Deletion of Bambi in ECs resulted in mice with defective thrombus stability caused by decreased fibrin accumulation. Increased levels of the anticoagulant proteins TFPI and thrombomodulin were detected in Bambi-/- mouse lung homogenates. Endothelial cells isolated from Bambi-/- mouse lungs exhibited enhanced ability to activate protein C due to elevated thrombomodulin levels. Blocking thrombomodulin and TFPI in vivo fully restored fibrin accumulation and thrombus stability in Bambi-/- mice.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate that endothelial BAMBI influences fibrin generation and thrombus stability by modulating thrombomodulin and TFPI anticoagulant function of the endothelium; we also highlight the importance of these anticoagulant proteins in the laser-induced thrombosis model.

Downregulation of circRNA DMNT3B contributes to diabetic retinal vascular dysfunction through targeting miR-20b-5p and BAMBI

Background

Diabetic retinopathy, a vascular complication of diabetes mellitus, is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness. circRNAs act as competing endogenous RNA, sponging target miRNA and thus influencing mRNA expression in vascular diseases. We investigated whether and how circDNMT3B is involved in retinal vascular dysfunction under diabetic conditions.

Methods

qRT-PCR was performed to detect expression of circDNMT3B, miR-20b-5p, and BAMBI in retinal microvascular endothelial cells under diabetic conditions. Western blot, Cell Counting Kit-8, Transwell, Matrigel tube formation, and retinal trypsin digestion assays were conducted to explore the roles of circDNMT3B/miR-20b-5p/BAMBI in retinal vascular dysfunction. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter, siRNA, and overexpression assays were used to reveal the mechanisms of the circDNMT3B/miR-20b-5p/BAMBI interaction. Electroretinograms were used to evaluate visual function.

Findings

Upregulation of miR-20b-5p under diabetic conditions promoted proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs), which was mediated by downregulated BAMBI. Under diabetic conditions, circDNMT3B, which acts as a sponge of miR-20b-5p, is downregulated. circDNMT3B overexpression reduced retinal acellular capillary number and alleviated visual damage in diabetic rats. Changes in expression of circDNMT3B and miR-20b-5p were confirmed in the proliferative fibrovascular membranes of patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Interpretation

Downregulation of circDNMT3B contributes to vascular dysfunction in diabetic retinas through regulating miR-20b-5p and BAMBI, providing a potential treatment strategy for diabetic retinopathy.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key Basic Research Program of China, Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project, and ZJLab.

Functional Genomics for the Identification of Modulators of Platelet-Dependent Thrombus Formation

Despite the absence of the genome in platelets, transcription profiling provides important insights into platelet function and can help clarify abnormalities in platelet disorders. The Bloodomics Consortium performed whole-genome expression analysis comparing in vitro–differentiated megakaryocytes (MKs) with in vitro–differentiated erythroblasts and different blood cell types. This allowed the identification of genes with upregulated expression in MKs compared with all other cell lineages, among the receptors BAMBI, LRRC32, ESAM, and DCBLD2. In a later correlative analysis of genome-wide platelet RNA expression with interindividual human platelet reactivity, LLRFIP and COMMD7 were additionally identified. A functional genomics approach using morpholino-based silencing in zebrafish identified various roles for all of these selected genes in thrombus formation. In this review, we summarize the role of the six identified genes in zebrafish and discuss how they correlate with subsequently performed mouse experiments.

The role of platelet and endothelial GARP in thrombosis and hemostasis

BACKGROUND

Glycoprotein-A Repetitions Predominant protein (GARP or LRRC32) is present on among others human platelets and endothelial cells. Evidence for its involvement in thrombus formation was suggested by full knockout of GARP in zebrafish.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the role of GARP in platelet physiology and in thrombus formation using platelet and endothelial conditional GARP knock out mice.

METHODS

Platelet and endothelial specific GARP knockout mice were generated using the Cre-loxP recombination system. The function of platelets without GARP was measured by flow cytometry, spreading analysis and aggregometry using PAR4-activating peptide and collagen related peptide. Additionally, clot retraction and collagen-induced platelet adhesion and aggregation under flow were analyzed. Finally, in vivo tail bleeding time, occlusion time of the mesenteric and carotid artery after FeCl3-induced thrombosis were determined in platelet and endothelial specific GARP knock out mice.

RESULTS

Platelet specific GARP knockout mice had normal surface GPIb, GPVI and integrin αIIb glycoprotein expression. Although GARP expression was increased upon platelet activation, platelets without GARP displayed normal agonist induced activation, spreading on fibrinogen and aggregation responses. Furthermore, absence of GARP on platelets did not influence clot retraction and had no impact on thrombus formation on collagen-coated surfaces under flow. In line with this, neither the tail bleeding time nor the occlusion time in the carotid- and mesenteric artery after FeCl3-induced thrombus formation in platelet or endothelial specific GARP knock out mice were affected.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence is provided that platelet and endothelial GARP are not important in hemostasis and thrombosis in mice.

Conformational quiescence of ADAMTS-13 prevents proteolytic promiscuity

Essentials Recently, ADAMTS-13 has been shown to undergo substrate induced conformation activation. Conformational quiescence of ADAMTS-13 may serve to prevent off-target proteolysis in plasma. Conformationally active ADAMTS-13 variants are capable of proteolysing the Aα chain of fibrinogen. This should be considered as ADAMTS-13 variants are developed as potential therapeutic agents. Click to hear Dr Zheng's presentation on structure function and cofactor-dependent regulation of ADAMTS-13 SUMMARY: Background Recent work has revealed that ADAMTS-13 circulates in a 'closed' conformation, only fully interacting with von Willebrand factor (VWF) following a conformational change. We hypothesized that this conformational quiescence also maintains the substrate specificity of ADAMTS-13 and that the 'open' conformation of the protease might facilitate proteolytic promiscuity. Objectives To identify a novel substrate for a constitutively active gain of function (GoF) ADAMTS-13 variant (R568K/F592Y/R660K/Y661F/Y665F). Methods Fibrinogen proteolysis was characterized using SDS PAGE and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Fibrin formation was monitored by turbidity measurements and fibrin structure visualized by confocal microscopy. Results ADAMTS-13 exhibits proteolytic activity against the Aα chain of human fibrinogen, but this is only manifest on its conformational activation. Accordingly, the GoF ADAMTS-13 variant and truncated variants such as MDTCS exhibit this activity. The cleavage site has been determined by LC-MS/MS to be Aα chain Lys225-Met226. Proteolysis of fibrinogen by GoF ADAMTS-13 impairs fibrin formation in plasma-based assays, alters clot structure and increases clot permeability. Although GoF ADAMTS-13 does not appear to proteolyse preformed cross-linked fibrin, its proteolytic activity against fibrinogen increases the susceptibility of fibrin to tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA)-induced lysis by plasmin and increases the fibrin clearance rate more than 8-fold compared with wild-type (WT) ADAMTS-13 (EC50 values of 3.0 ± 1.7 nm and 25.2 ± 9.7 nm, respectively) in in vitro thrombosis models. Conclusion The 'closed' conformation of ADAMTS-13 restricts its specificity and protects against fibrinogenolysis. Induced substrate promiscuity will be important as ADAMTS-13 variants are developed as potential therapeutic agents against thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and other cardiovascular diseases.

Homocysteine injures vascular endothelial cells by inhibiting mitochondrial activity

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of homocysteine (Hcy) in the pathogenesis of pulmonary embolism (PE) and the associated molecular mechanisms in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Hcy contents were detected with high-performance liquid chromatography. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry using Annexin-V staining. Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity was assessed with an enzyme activity assay, and the expression levels of COX 17 were determined by western blot analysis. Intracellular reactive oxygen species levels were measured using a microplate reader with a fluorescence probe. The results demonstrated that, compared with the control group, the serum Hcy levels were significantly elevated in the PE group, suggesting that Hcy may be an indicator for PE. Following treatment with Hcy, the apoptosis rate was markedly elevated in HUVECs. Moreover, Hcy decreased COX activity and downregulated the expression of COX 17 in HUVECs. Furthermore, Hcy increased the ROS levels in these endothelial cells. However, all the above-mentioned physiopathological changes induced by Hcy in HUVECs could be restored by folic acid. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that Hcy inhibited COX activity, downregulated COX 17 expression, increased intracellular ROS levels and enhanced apoptosis in endothelial cells.

BAMBI elimination enhances alternative TGF-β signaling and glomerular dysfunction in diabetic mice

BMP, activin, membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI) acts as a pseudo-receptor for the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β type I receptor family and a negative modulator of TGF-β kinase signaling, and BAMBI(-/-) mice show mild endothelial dysfunction. Because diabetic glomerular disease is associated with TGF-β overexpression and microvascular alterations, we examined the effect of diabetes on glomerular BAMBI mRNA levels. In isolated glomeruli from biopsies of patients with diabetic nephropathy and in glomeruli from mice with type 2 diabetes, BAMBI was downregulated. We then examined the effects of BAMBI deletion on streptozotocin-induced diabetic glomerulopathy in mice. BAMBI(-/-) mice developed more albuminuria, with a widening of foot processes, than BAMBI(+/+) mice, along with increased activation of alternative TGF-β pathways such as extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK)1/2 and Smad1/5 in glomeruli and cortices of BAMBI(-/-) mice. Vegfr2 and Angpt1, genes controlling glomerular endothelial stability, were downmodulated in glomeruli from BAMBI(-/-) mice with diabetes. Incubation of glomeruli from nondiabetic BAMBI(+/+) or BAMBI(-/-) mice with TGF-β resulted in the downregulation of Vegfr2 and Angpt1, effects that were more pronounced in BAMBI(-/-) mice and were prevented by a MEK inhibitor. The downregulation of Vegfr2 in diabetes was localized to glomerular endothelial cells using a histone yellow reporter under the Vegfr2 promoter. Thus, BAMBI modulates the effects of diabetes on glomerular permselectivity in association with altered ERK1/2 and Smad1/5 signaling. Future therapeutic interventions with inhibitors of alternative TGF-β signaling may therefore be of interest in diabetic nephropathy.

Modeling Disorders of Blood Coagulation in the Zebrafish

Hemostasis, the process of blood clot formation and resolution in response to vascular injury, and thrombosis, the dysregulation of hemostasis leading to pathological clot formation, are widely studied. However, the genetic variability in hemostatic and thrombotic disorders is incompletely understood, suggesting that novel mediators have yet to be uncovered. The zebrafish is developing into a powerful in vivo model to study hemostasis, and its features as a model organism are well suited to (a) develop high-throughput screens to identify novel mediators of hemostasis and thrombosis, (b) validate candidate genes identified in human populations, and (c) characterize the structure/function relationship of gene products. In this review, we discuss conservation of the zebrafish hemostatic system, highlight areas for future study, and outline the utility of this model to study blood coagulation and its dysregulation.