Inflammatory Wnt5A signalling pathways affecting barrier function of human vascular endothelial cells

Activation of Wnt/β-catenin signal induces DCs to differentiate into immune tolerant regDCs in septic mice

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is a common complication among patients in intensive care units, and has a high mortality rate, with no effective therapies to date. As immunosuppression has become the research focus of sepsis, the regulatory role of dendritic cells (DCs) in the immune response to sepsis has received attention.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in inducing the differentiation of splenic DCs in mice with sepsis caused by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).

METHODS

C57bl/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups, namely the sham, 24 h post-CLP, and 72 h post-CLP groups. Levels of regulatory T cells (Tregs) among splenic mononuclear cells, suppressor T cells (TSs), and surface markers, such as major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II), co-stimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86), negative co-stimulatory molecule death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), CC chemokine receptor-5 (CCR5), and CC chemokine receptor-7 (CCR7), were analyzed via flow cytometry for each group of mice post-surgery. CD11c+ DCs were purified from the splenic mononuclear cells of each group, and the expression of β-catenin, Wnt5a, and Wnt3a was detected using RT-PCR and western blotting.Each group of DCs was incubated with LPS-containing culture solution, and the supernatant of the culture solution was collected after 24 hours to detect the level of Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, and IL-10.

RESULTS

Compared with that in the sham group, the expression of β-catenin, Wnt5a, and Wnt3a in splenic DCs of the other two groups of mice increased with prolonged CLP exposure (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the proportion of Tregs and TSs increased in the mouse spleens after CLP, and levels of DC surface molecules, such as CCR5, CCR7, CD80, CD86, and MHC-II, decreased to different degrees, whereas those of PD-L1 increased. These results suggested that DCs differentiate towards regulatory DCs (regDCs) after CLP in mice. The results of ELISA showed that the longer the exposure time after CLP, the lower the ability of DCs to secrete TNF-α and IL-12, but the higher the level of IL-10 and IL-6.

CONCLUSION

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activates and induces regDCs differentiation in the splenic DCs of mice with sepsis and participates in the regulation of immune tolerance in the organism.

The role of actin cytoskeleton CFL1 and ADF/cofilin superfamily in inflammatory response

Actin remodeling proteins are important in immune diseases and regulate cell cytoskeletal responses. These responses play a pivotal role in maintaining the delicate balance of biological events, protecting against acute or chronic inflammation in a range of diseases. Cofilin (CFL) and actin depolymerization factor (ADF) are potent actin-binding proteins that cut and depolymerize actin filaments to generate actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Although the molecular mechanism by which actin induces actin cytoskeletal reconstitution has been studied for decades, the regulation of actin in the inflammatory process has only recently become apparent. In this paper, the functions of the actin cytoskeleton and ADF/cofilin superfamily members are briefly introduced, and then focus on the role of CFL1 in inflammatory response.

Biomechanical regulation of planar cell polarity in endothelial cells

Cell polarity refers to the uneven distribution of certain cytoplasmic components in a cell with a spatial order. The planar cell polarity (PCP), the cell aligns perpendicular to the polar plane, in endothelial cells (ECs) has become a research hot spot. The planar polarity of ECs has a positive significance on the regulation of cardiovascular dysfunction, pathological angiogenesis, and ischemic stroke. The endothelial polarity is stimulated and regulated by biomechanical force. Mechanical stimuli promote endothelial polarization and make ECs produce PCP to maintain the normal physiological and biochemical functions. Here, we overview recent advances in understanding the interplay and mechanism between PCP and ECs function involved in mechanical forces, with a focus on PCP signaling pathways and organelles in regulating the polarity of ECs. And then showed the related diseases caused by ECs polarity dysfunction. This study provides new ideas and therapeutic targets for the treatment of endothelial PCP-related diseases.

Comprehensive analysis reveals COPB2 and RYK associated with tumor stages of larynx squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is one of the highly aggressive malignancy types of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas; genes involved in the development of LSCC still need exploration.

METHODS

We downloaded expression profiles of 96 (85 in advanced stage and 11 in early stage) LSCC patients from TCGA-HNSC. Function enrichment and protein-protein interactions of genes in significant modules were conducted. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to explore potential prognostic biomarkers for LSCC. The expression levels of genes at different stages were compared and visualized via boxplots. Immune infiltration was examined by the CIBERSORTx web-based tool and depicted with ggplot2. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was utilized to analyze functional enrichment terms and pathways. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) was used to verify the expression of genes in the LSCC samples.

RESULTS

We identified 25 modules, including 3 modules significantly related to tumor stages of LSCC via weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). UIMC1, NPM1, and DCTN4 in the module 'cyan', TARS in the module 'darkorange', and COPB2 and RYK in the module 'lightyellow' showed statistically significant relation to overall survival. The expression of COPB2, DCTN4, RYK, TARS, and UIMC1 indicated association with the change of fraction of immune cells in LSCC patients; two genes, COPB2 and RYK, indicated different expression in various tumor stages of LSCC. Finally, COPB2 and RYK showed high-expression in tumor tissues of advanced LSCC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provided a potential perceptive in analyzing progression of LSCC cells and exploring prognostic genes.

Transcriptional Regulation of Drug Metabolizing CYP Enzymes by Proinflammatory Wnt5A Signaling in Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells

Downregulation of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters by proinflammatory mediators in hepatocytes, enterocytes and renal tubular epithelium is an established mechanism affecting pharmacokinetics. Emerging evidences indicate that vascular endothelial cell expression of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters may regulate pharmacokinetic pathways in heart to modulate local drug bioavailability and toxicity. However, whether inflammation regulates pharmacokinetic pathways in human cardiac vascular endothelial cells remains largely unknown. The lipid modified protein Wnt5A is emerging as a critical mediator of proinflammatory responses and disease severity in sepsis, hypertension and COVID-19. In the present study, we employed transcriptome profiling and gene ontology analyses to investigate the regulation of expression of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters by Wnt5A in human coronary artery endothelial cells. Our study shows for the first time that Wnt5A induces the gene expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 enzymes involved in phase I metabolism of a broad spectrum of drugs including chloroquine (the controversial drug for COVID-19) that is known to cause toxicity in myocardium. Further, the upregulation of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression is preserved even during inflammatory crosstalk between Wnt5A and the prototypic proinflammatory IL-1β in human coronary artery endothelial cells. These findings stimulate further studies to test the critical roles of vascular endothelial cell CYP1A1 and CYP1B1, and the potential of vascular-targeted therapy with CYP1A1/CYP1B1 inhibitors in modulating myocardial pharmacokinetics in Wnt5A-associated inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases.

LINC00176 facilitates CD4+T cell adhesion in systemic lupus erythematosus via the WNT5a signaling pathway by regulating WIF1

Accruing research shows the implications of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the progression of various autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The present study aimed to identify the expression pattern of LINC00176 in SLE and to explore its effects on CD4⁺T cell adhesion in this context. The biological functions of LINC00176, WIF1 and WNT5a on CD4⁺T cells in SLE were evaluated via gain- and loss-of-function experiments, following delivery of pcDNA3-LINC00176, siRNA-LINC00176, pcDNA3-WIF1 and WNT-sFRP5 (an inhibitor for the WNT5a signaling pathway). High LINC00176 expression was evident in the CD4⁺T cells of SLE patients. Additionally, WIF1 was identified as a potential target gene of LINC00176, and was negatively regulated by LINC00176. The overexpression of LINC00176 could promote proliferation and adhesion of CD4⁺T cells in SLE. Such alternations were reversed following up-regulation of WIF1 or inhibition of the WNT5a signaling pathway. Taken together, the key findings of our study highlight the ability of LINC00176 to potentially promote the proliferation and adhesion of CD4⁺T cells in SLE by down-regulating WIF1 and activating the WNT5a signaling pathway, providing new insight and a theoretical basis for translation in SLE therapy.

The pathological role of Wnt5a in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Psoriasis (PsO) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with both local and systemic components. PsO‐associated arthritis, known as psoriatic arthritis (PsA), develops in approximately 13%‐25% of PsO patients. Various factors associated with both PsO and PsA indicate that these conditions are part of a single disease. Identification of novel targets for the development of drugs to treat both PsO and PsA is desirable to provide more patient‐friendly treatment regimens. Such targets will likely represent ‘common checkpoints’ of inflammation, for example key components or transduction cascades of the signalling pathways involved. Emerging evidence supports involvement of the non‐canonical Wnt signalling pathways in the development of both PsO and PsA, especially the Wnt5a‐activated signalling cascades. These, together with interlinked factors, are crucial in the interactions among keratinocytes, immune cells and inflammatory factors in PsO, as well as among chondrocytes, osteoblasts and osteoclasts that trigger both subchondral bone remodelling and cartilage catabolism in PsA. This review focuses on the pathological role of Wnt5a signalling and its interaction with other interlinked pathways in both PsO and PsA, and also on the main challenges for future research, particularly with respect to molecules targeting Wnt signalling pathways for the treatment of PsO and PsA.

Role of Wnt signaling during inflammation and sepsis: A review of the literature

Despite the development of modern intensive care and new antimicrobial agents, the mortality of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock remains high. Systemic inflammation is a consequence of activation of the innate immune system. It is characterized by the intravascular release of proinflammatory cytokines and other vasoactive mediators, with concurrent activation of innate immune cells. The Wnt signaling pathway plays a critical role in the development of multicellular organisms. Abnormal Wnt signaling has been associated with many human diseases, ranging from inflammation and degenerative diseases to cancer. This article reviews the accumulating evidence that the Wnt signaling pathway plays a distinct role in inflammation and sepsis.

WIF1 prevents Wnt5A mediated LIMK/CFL phosphorylation and adherens junction disruption in human vascular endothelial cells

Background

Wnt5A is released by activated macrophages and elevated levels have been detected in sepsis patients with severe systemic inflammation. However, the signalling and functional effects of Wnt5A in the vascular endothelial cells (VEC) remained unclear. Recently, we showed that Wnt5A affects barrier function in human VEC through Ryk interaction. Wnt5A/Ryk signalling activates LIMK to inactivate the actin depolymerisation factor CFL by phosphorylation, promotes actin polymerisation and disrupts endothelial adherens junctions.

Findings

Here, we investigate the antagonistic effect of the Ryk specific secreted Wnt antagonist Wnt inhibitory factor (WIF)-1 on Wnt5A-mediated activation/inactivation of LIMK/CFL, and adherens junction disruption in human VEC. In human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC), treatment with Wnt5A enhanced the phosphorylation of LIMK and CFL that was significantly prevented by WIF1. The presence of WIF1 suppressed Wnt5A-mediated disruption of β-catenin and VE-cadherin adherens junctions in HCAEC, thereby preventing barrier dysfunction caused by Wnt5A.

Conclusion

We conclude that WIF1 or molecules with similar properties could be potent tools for the prevention of vascular leakage due to Wnt5A-mediated actin cytoskeleton remodeling in diseases associated with systemic inflammation.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12950-017-0157-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.