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Acquisition of paclitaxel resistance modulates the biological traits of gastric cancer AGS cells and facilitates epithelial to mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2022; 395:515-533. [PMID: 35122114 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-022-02217-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to develop a paclitaxel (PTX)-resistant gastric cancer AGS cells (AGS-R) and evaluate the mechanisms of drug resistance. METHODS AGS cells were successively treated with increasing PTX concentrations. Cross-resistance of established AGS-R, the molecular patterns of cell survival, evasion of apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the angiogenic potential were evaluated. RESULTS AGS-R was induced within six months of PTX exposure. Extension of the treatment resulted in PTX-resistance beyond clinical levels. The established AGS-R showed resistance to vincristine and doxorubicin but not cisplatin. Upon induction of resistance, the expressions of MDR-1 (P < 0.001) and MRP-1 (P < 0.01) genes and proteins significantly increased. AGS-R cells had elevated levels of BCL-2, pro-CASP3, cleaved-NOTCH1, HES1, HEY1, NF-κB, PI3K, p-AKT, HIF-1α, Cyclin A, and B1 as compared with parental cells (at least P < 0.01). The protein levels of BAX, CASP3, P53, and P21 (at least P < 0.01) as well as intracellular ROS (P < 0.001) were reduced in AGS-R. A relative arrest at the G2/M phase (15.8 ± 0.75 vs. 26.7 ± 1.67) of the cell cycle and enrichment of AGS-R cells for CD44 marker (9 ± 0.6 vs. 1 ± 0.8) (P < 0.001) were detected by flow cytometry. While the E-cadherin expression was reduced (P < 0.001), the protein levels of Vimentin, N-cadherin, SLUG, and SNAIL were increased (at least P < 0.05). The angiogenic activity and release of VEGF and MMP2/9 were increased in AGS-R cells relative to the AGS line (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION AGS-R cells could bypass chemotherapy stress by expressing the genes coding for efflux pumps and altering some key signaling in favor of survival, EMT, and angiogenesis.
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Cabrerizo-Granados D, Peña R, Palacios L, Carrillo-Bosch L, Lloreta-Trull J, Comerma L, Iglesias M, de Herreros AG. Snail1 expression in endothelial cells controls growth, angiogenesis and differentiation of breast tumors. Theranostics 2021; 11:7671-7684. [PMID: 34335957 PMCID: PMC8315050 DOI: 10.7150/thno.61881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Snail1 is a transcriptional factor required for epithelial to mesenchymal transition and activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). Apart from that, tumor endothelial cells also express Snail1. Here, we have unraveled the role of Snail1 in this tissue in a tumorigenic context. Methods: We generated transgenic mice with an endothelial-specific and inducible Snail1 depletion. This murine line was crossed with MMTV-PyMT mice that develop mammary gland tumors and the consequence of Snail1 depletion in the endothelium were investigated. We also interfere Snail1 expression in cultured endothelial cells. Results: Specific Snail1 depletion in the endothelium of adult mice does not promote an overt phenotype; however, it delays the formation of mammary gland tumors in MMTV-PyMT mice. These effects are associated to the inability of Snail1-deficient endothelial cells to undergo angiogenesis and to enhance CAF activation in a paracrine manner. Moreover, tumors generated in mice with endothelium-specific Snail1 depletion are less advanced and show a papillary phenotype. Similar changes on onset and tumor morphology are observed by pretreatment of MMTV-PyMT mice with the angiogenic inhibitor Bevacizumab. Human breast papillary carcinomas exhibit a lower angiogenesis and present lower staining of Snail1, both in endothelial and stromal cells, compared with other breast neoplasms. Furthermore, human breast tumors datasets show a strong correlation between Snail1 expression and high angiogenesis. Conclusion: These findings show a novel role for Snail1 in endothelial cell activation and demonstrate that these cells impact not only on angiogenesis, but also on tumor onset and phenotype.
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Wang Z, Wu C, Zhang M, Dong A, Niu R, Zhang J. Sevoflurane promotes the proliferation of HUVECs by activating VEGF signaling. Exp Ther Med 2020; 19:1336-1342. [PMID: 32010307 PMCID: PMC6966126 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.8319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The vascular endothelium plays an essential role in vascular disease and cardiovascular diseases. The effects and underlying mechanisms of sevoflurane on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human endothelial cells have not been elucidated. The MTT colorimetric assay was used to determine HUVEC activity at different concentrations (1 and 3%, respectively) of sevoflurane for different time-points (12, 24 and 48 h, respectively). The regulation of sevoflurane on the mRNA levels of VEGFa, VEGFb, VEGFc and VEGFR1, 2, 3 was analyzed by real-time PCR. When VEGFR2 was inhibited by axitinib, VEGFR2 protein expression was determined by western blotting, and the cell viability was assessed by MTT analysis. The results revealed that sevoflurane increased cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Sevoflurane significantly upregulated VEGFA mRNA expression only. In addition, sevoflurane increased the expression of VEGFR2 at the mRNA and protein levels, whereas sevoflurane did not modulate the mRNA expression of VEGFR1 and VEGFR3. Furthermore, sevoflurane failed to increase the mRNA and protein expression of VEGFR2 when VEGFR2 was inhibited by axitinib, an inhibitor of VEGF receptors. In conclusion, sevoflurane may be a promising agent against endothelium dysfunction-caused vascular disease by activating the VEGF-A/VEGFR2 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengtao Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huashan Hospital-North Fudan University, Shanghai 201907, P.R. China
| | - Cui Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huashan Hospital-North Fudan University, Shanghai 201907, P.R. China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Central Hospital of Shanghai Yangpu District Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai 201907, P.R. China
| | - Aiping Dong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huashan Hospital-North Fudan University, Shanghai 201907, P.R. China
| | - Ruibin Niu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huashan Hospital-North Fudan University, Shanghai 201907, P.R. China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huashan Hospital-North Fudan University, Shanghai 201907, P.R. China
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Mansoori B, Mohammadi A, Naghizadeh S, Gjerstorff M, Shanehbandi D, Shirjang S, Najafi S, Holmskov U, Khaze V, Duijf PHG, Baradaran B. miR-330 suppresses EMT and induces apoptosis by downregulating HMGA2 in human colorectal cancer. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:920-931. [PMID: 31241772 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important molecular regulatorsof cellular signaling and behavior. They alter gene expression by targeting messenger RNAs, including those encoding transcriptional regulators, such as HMGA2. While HMGA2 is oncogenic in various tumors, miRNAs may be oncogenic or tumor suppressive. Here, we investigate the expression of HMGA2 and the miRNA miR-330 in a patient with colorectal cancer (CRC) samples and their effects on oncogenic cellular phenotypes. We found that HMGA2 expression is increased and miR-330 expression is decreased in CRCs and each predicts poor long-term patient survival. Stably increased miR-330 expression in human colorectal cancer cells (HCT116) and SW480 CRC cell lines downregulate the oncogenic expression of HMGA2, a predicted miR-330 target. Additionally, this promotes apoptosis and decreases cell migration and viability. Consistently, it also decreases protein-level expression of markers for epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (Snail-1, E-cadherin, and Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors) and transforming growth factor β signaling (SMAD3), as well as phospho- Protein kinase B (AKT) and phospho-STAT3 levels. We conclude that miR-330 acts as a tumor suppressor miRNA in CRC by suppressing HMGA2 expression and reducing cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Thus, we identify miR-330 as a promising candidate for miRNA replacement therapy for patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behzad Mansoori
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Aging Research Institute, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Mohammadi
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sanaz Naghizadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Morten Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Dariush Shanehbandi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Solmaz Shirjang
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Souzan Najafi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Uffe Holmskov
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Vahid Khaze
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Pascal H G Duijf
- Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Wang C, Xu S, Tian Y, Ju A, Hou Q, Liu J, Fu Y, Luo Y. Lysyl Oxidase-Like Protein 2 Promotes Tumor Lymphangiogenesis and Lymph Node Metastasis in Breast Cancer. Neoplasia 2019; 21:413-427. [PMID: 30925417 PMCID: PMC6439287 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor lymphangiogenesis has been previously documented to predict regional lymph node metastasis and promote the spread to distant organs. However, the underlying mechanism initiating tumor lymphangiogenesis remains unclear. Here we described a novel role of tumor cell-derived Lysyl Oxidase-like protein 2 (LOXL2) in promoting lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of samples from breast cancer patients showed that the expression of LOXL2 was positively correlated with lymphatic vessel density and breast cancer malignancy. In animal studies, LOXL2-overexpressing breast cancer cells significantly increased lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis, whereas knockdown of LOXL2 suppressed both processes. In order to study the mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis progression, we performed further in vitro investigations and the data revealed that LOXL2 significantly enhanced lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) invasion and tube formation through directly activation of the Akt-Snail and Erk pathways. Moreover, LOXL2 also stimulated fibroblasts to secrete high level of pro- lymphangiogenic factors VEGF-C and SDF-1α. Taken together, our study elucidates a novel function of tumor cell secreted LOXL2 in lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis, demonstrating that LOXL2 serves as a promising target for anti-lymphangiogenesis and anti-metastasis therapies for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunying Wang
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Anti-Tumor Protein Therapeutics; Beijing Key Laboratory for Protein Therapeutics; Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Siran Xu
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Anti-Tumor Protein Therapeutics; Beijing Key Laboratory for Protein Therapeutics; Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Peking University-Tsinghua University-National Institute of Biological Sciences Joint Graduate Program (PTN), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Tian
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Anti-Tumor Protein Therapeutics; Beijing Key Laboratory for Protein Therapeutics; Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Anji Ju
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Anti-Tumor Protein Therapeutics; Beijing Key Laboratory for Protein Therapeutics; Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaoyun Hou
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Anti-Tumor Protein Therapeutics; Beijing Key Laboratory for Protein Therapeutics; Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Liu
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Anti-Tumor Protein Therapeutics; Beijing Key Laboratory for Protein Therapeutics; Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Fu
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Anti-Tumor Protein Therapeutics; Beijing Key Laboratory for Protein Therapeutics; Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yongzhang Luo
- The National Engineering Laboratory for Anti-Tumor Protein Therapeutics; Beijing Key Laboratory for Protein Therapeutics; Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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Herrera A, Herrera M, Guerra-Perez N, Galindo-Pumariño C, Larriba MJ, García-Barberán V, Gil B, Giménez-Moyano S, Ferreiro-Monteagudo R, Veguillas P, Candia A, Peña R, Pinto J, García-Bermejo ML, Muñoz A, García de Herreros A, Bonilla F, Carrato A, Peña C. Endothelial cell activation on 3D-matrices derived from PDGF-BB-stimulated fibroblasts is mediated by Snail1. Oncogenesis 2018; 7:76. [PMID: 30250018 PMCID: PMC6155204 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-018-0085-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Carcinomas, such as colon cancer, initiate their invasion by rescuing the innate plasticity of both epithelial cells and stromal cells. Although Snail is a transcriptional factor involved in the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, in recent years, many studies have also identified the major role of Snail in the activation of Cancer-Associated Fibroblast (CAF) cells and the remodeling of the extracellular matrix. In CAFs, Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor signaling is a major functional determinant. High expression of both SNAI1 and PDGF receptors is associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients, but the mechanism(s) that underlie these connections are not understood. In this study, we demonstrate that PDGF-activated fibroblasts stimulate extracellular matrix (ECM) fiber remodeling and deposition. Furthermore, we describe how SNAI1, through the FAK pathway, is a necessary factor for ECM fiber organization. The parallel-oriented fibers are used by endothelial cells as “tracks”, facilitating their activation and the creation of tubular structures mimicking in vivo capillary formation. Accordingly, Snail1 expression in fibroblasts was required for the co-adjuvant effect of these cells on matrix remodeling and neoangiogenesis when co-xenografted in nude mice. Finally, in tumor samples from colorectal cancer patients a direct association between stromal SNAI1 expression and the endothelial marker CD34 was observed. In summary, our results advance the understanding of PDGF/SNAI1-activated CAFs in matrix remodeling and angiogenesis stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Herrera
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro de Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Herrera
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro de Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Natalia Guerra-Perez
- Medical Oncology Department, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Galindo-Pumariño
- Medical Oncology Department, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Jesús Larriba
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanesa García-Barberán
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro de Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.,Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, IIS Hospital Clínico San Carlos, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Gil
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro de Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.,Laboratorio de Oncología Traslacional y Nuevas Terapias. Instituto de Investigación i+12, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Giménez-Moyano
- Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets Lab, Pathology Department, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Reyes Ferreiro-Monteagudo
- Medical Oncology Department, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Veguillas
- Surgery Department, Hospital Universitario de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Spain
| | - Antonio Candia
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Spain
| | - Raúl Peña
- Programa de Recerca en Càncer, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Pinto
- Pathology Department, Virgen de la Concha Hospital, Zamora, Castilla y León, Spain
| | - Mª Laura García-Bermejo
- Laboratorio de Oncología Traslacional y Nuevas Terapias. Instituto de Investigación i+12, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Muñoz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Alfredo Carrato
- Medical Oncology Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS, CIBERONC, Alcala University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Peña
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro de Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. .,Medical Oncology Department, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain.
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7
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SNAI1, an endothelial–mesenchymal transition transcription factor, promotes the early phase of ocular neovascularization. Angiogenesis 2018; 21:635-652. [DOI: 10.1007/s10456-018-9614-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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8
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Wang QS, He R, Yang F, Kang LJ, Li XQ, Fu L, Sun B, Feng YM. FOXF2 deficiency permits basal-like breast cancer cells to form lymphangiogenic mimicry by enhancing the response of VEGF-C/VEGFR3 signaling pathway. Cancer Lett 2018; 420:116-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.01.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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9
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Shear stress induces endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition via the transcription factor Snail. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3375. [PMID: 28611395 PMCID: PMC5469771 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03532-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood flow influences atherosclerosis by generating wall shear stress, which alters endothelial cell (EC) physiology. Low shear stress induces dedifferentiation of EC through a process termed endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). The mechanisms underlying shear stress-regulation of EndMT are uncertain. Here we investigated the role of the transcription factor Snail in low shear stress-induced EndMT. Studies of cultured EC exposed to flow revealed that low shear stress induced Snail expression. Using gene silencing it was demonstrated that Snail positively regulated the expression of EndMT markers (Slug, N-cadherin, α-SMA) in EC exposed to low shear stress. Gene silencing also revealed that Snail enhanced the permeability of endothelial monolayers to macromolecules by promoting EC proliferation and migration. En face staining of the murine aorta or carotid arteries modified with flow-altering cuffs demonstrated that Snail was expressed preferentially at low shear stress sites that are predisposed to atherosclerosis. Snail was also expressed in EC overlying atherosclerotic plaques in coronary arteries from patients with ischemic heart disease implying a role in human arterial disease. We conclude that Snail is an essential driver of EndMT under low shear stress conditions and may promote early atherogenesis by enhancing vascular permeability.
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Nohata N, Uchida Y, Stratman AN, Adams RH, Zheng Y, Weinstein BM, Mukouyama YS, Gutkind JS. Temporal-specific roles of Rac1 during vascular development and retinal angiogenesis. Dev Biol 2016; 411:183-194. [PMID: 26872874 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 02/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels by remodeling and growth of pre-existing vessels, is a highly orchestrated process that requires a tight balance between pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors and the integration of their corresponding signaling networks. The family of Rho GTPases, including RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42, play a central role in many cell biological processes that involve cytoskeletal changes and cell movement. Specifically for Rac1, we have shown that excision of Rac1 using a Tie2-Cre animal line results in embryonic lethality in midgestation (embryonic day (E) 9.5), with multiple vascular defects. However, Tie2-Cre can be also expressed during vasculogenesis, prior to angiogenesis, and is active in some hematopoietic precursors that can affect vessel formation. To circumvent these limitations, we have now conditionally deleted Rac1 in a temporally controlled and endothelial-restricted fashion using Cdh5(PAC)-iCreERT2 transgenic mice. In this highly controlled experimental in vivo system, we now show that Rac1 is required for embryonic vascular integrity and angiogenesis, and for the formation of superficial and deep vascular networks in the post-natal developing retina, the latter involving a novel specific function for Rac1 in vertical blood vessel sprouting. Aligned with these findings, we show that RAC1 is spatially involved in endothelial cell migration, invasion, and radial sprouting activities in 3D collagen matrix in vitro models. Hence, Rac1 and its downstream molecules may represent potential anti-angiogeneic therapeutic targets for the treatment of many human diseases that involve aberrant neovascularization and blood vessel overgrowth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nijiro Nohata
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Yutaka Uchida
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Neuro-Vascular Biology, Genetics and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, United States
| | - Amber N Stratman
- Section on Vertebrate Development, Program in the Genomics of Differentiation, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Ralf H Adams
- Department of Tissue Morphogenesis, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine and Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Yi Zheng
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Brant M Weinstein
- Section on Vertebrate Development, Program in the Genomics of Differentiation, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Yoh-Suke Mukouyama
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Neuro-Vascular Biology, Genetics and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, United States
| | - J Silvio Gutkind
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States.
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