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Wu YC, Wang WT, Yang MC, Su YT, Yeh JL, Hsu JH, Wu JR. The novel roles of YULINK in the migration, proliferation and glycolysis of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells: implications for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Biol Res 2023; 56:66. [PMID: 38057829 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-023-00480-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature, characterized by the proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) along with dysregulated glycolysis, is a pathognomonic feature of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). YULINK (MIOS, Entrez Gene: 54468), a newly identified gene, has been recently shown to possess pleiotropic physiologic functions. This study aims to determine novel roles of YULINK in the regulation of PAH-related pathogenesis, including PASMC migration, proliferation and glycolysis. RESULTS Our results utilized two PAH-related cell models: PASMCs treated with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and PASMCs harvested from monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH rats (PAH-PASMCs). YULINK modulation, either by knockdown or overexpression, was found to influence PASMC migration and proliferation in both models. Additionally, YULINK was implicated in glycolytic processes, impacting glucose uptake, glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) expression, hexokinase II (HK-2) expression, and pyruvate production in PASMCs. Notably, YULINK and GLUT1 were observed to colocalize on PASMC membranes under PAH-related pathogenic conditions. Indeed, increased YULINK expression was also detected in the pulmonary artery of human PAH specimen. Furthermore, YULINK inhibition led to the suppression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (AKT) in both cell models. These findings suggest that the effects of YULINK are potentially mediated through the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that YULINK appears to play a crucial role in the migration, proliferation, and glycolysis in PASMCs and therefore positioning it as a novel promising therapeutic target for PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chia Wu
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, 80145, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ting Wang
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chun Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, No. 1, Yi-Da Road, Jiao-Su Village, Yan-Chao District, Kaohsiung, 82445, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Tsun Su
- Department of Pediatrics, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, No. 1, Yi-Da Road, Jiao-Su Village, Yan-Chao District, Kaohsiung, 82445, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jwu-Lai Yeh
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jong-Hau Hsu
- Division of Pediatric Cardio-Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jiunn-Ren Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, No. 1, Yi-Da Road, Jiao-Su Village, Yan-Chao District, Kaohsiung, 82445, Taiwan.
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Lin HH, Kuo MW, Fan TC, Yu AL, Yu J. YULINK regulates vascular formation in zebrafish and HUVECs. Biol Res 2023; 56:7. [PMID: 36843032 PMCID: PMC9969694 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-023-00415-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The distinct arterial and venous cell fates are dictated by a combination of various genetic factors which form diverse types of blood vessels such as arteries, veins, and capillaries. We report here that YULINK protein is involved in vasculogenesis, especially venous formation. METHODS In this manuscript, we employed gene knockdown, yeast two-hybrid, FLIM-FRET, immunoprecipitation, and various imaging technologies to investigate the role of YULINK gene in zebrafish and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). RESULTS Knockdown of YULINK during the arterial-venous developmental stage of zebrafish embryos led to the defective venous formation and abnormal vascular plexus formation. Knockdown of YULINK in HUVECs impaired their ability to undergo cell migration and differentiation into a capillary-like tube formation. In addition, the phosphorylated EPHB4 was decreased in YULINK knockdown HUVECs. Yeast two-hybrid, FLIM-FRET, immunoprecipitation, as well as imaging technologies showed that YULINK colocalized with endosome related proteins (EPS15, RAB33B or TICAM2) and markers (Clathrin and RHOB). VEGF-induced VEGFR2 internalization was also compromised in YULINK knockdown HUVECs, demonstrating to the involvement of YULINK. CONCLUSION This study suggests that YULINK regulates vasculogenesis, possibly through endocytosis in zebrafish and HUVECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Hung Lin
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program, International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan ,grid.454210.60000 0004 1756 1461Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, 333 Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Wei Kuo
- grid.454210.60000 0004 1756 1461Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, 333 Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tan-Chi Fan
- grid.454210.60000 0004 1756 1461Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, 333 Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Alice L. Yu
- grid.454210.60000 0004 1756 1461Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, 333 Taoyuan, Taiwan ,grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, CA USA
| | - John Yu
- Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, 333, Taoyuan, Taiwan. .,Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Meador JP. The fish early-life stage sublethal toxicity syndrome - A high-dose baseline toxicity response. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 291:118201. [PMID: 34740289 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A large number of toxicity studies report abnormalities in early life-stage (ELS) fish that are described here as a sublethal toxicity syndrome (TxSnFELS) and generally include a reduced heart rate, edemas (yolk sac and cardiac), and a variety of morphological abnormalities. The TxSnFELS is very common and not diagnostic for any chemical or class of chemicals. This sublethal toxicity syndrome is mostly observed at high exposure concentrations and appears to be a baseline, non-specific toxicity response; however, it can also occur at low doses by specific action. Toxicity metrics for this syndrome generally occur at concentrations just below those causing mortality and have been reported for a large number of diverse chemicals. Predictions based on tissue concentrations or quantitative-structure activity relationship (QSAR) models support the designation of baseline toxicity for many of the tested chemicals, which is confirmed by observed values. Given the sheer number of disparate chemicals causing the TxSnFELS and correlation with QSAR derived partitioning; the only logical conclusion for these high-dose responses is baseline toxicity by nonspecific action and not a lock and key type receptor response. It is important to recognize that many chemicals can act both as baseline toxicants and specific acting toxicants likely via receptor interaction and it is not possible to predict those threshold doses from baseline toxicity. We should search out these specific low-dose responses for ecological risk assessment and not rely on high-concentration toxicity responses to guide environmental protection. The goal for toxicity assessment should not be to characterize toxic responses at baseline toxicity concentrations, but to evaluate chemicals for their most toxic potential. Additional aspects of this review evaluated the fish ELS teratogenic responses in relation to mammalian oral LD50s and explored potential key events responsible for baseline toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Meador
- Ecotoxicology Program, Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Blvd E, Seattle, WA, 98112, USA.
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