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Cao Z, Hu Z, Wang Y, Zhao F, Li J, Li R, Hu W, Liu B, Tang S, Wang P, Li F, Chen Z, Wang L, Ma X. Letrozole-Based Near-Infrared Dynamic Imaging Targeting Ductal-Vascular RhoJ From Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia to Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2402913. [PMID: 39329457 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202402913] [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: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) relies heavily on neoangiogenesis for its progression, making early detection crucial. Here, LTZi-MHI148 (Letrozole inhibitor bonding with MHI-148 dye), a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent agent is developed, to target RhoJ (Ras Homolog Family Member J), a protein expressed in neonatal vasculature, for both imaging and therapy of early PDAC. This agent is synthesized by conjugating Letrozole with MHI-148, exhibiting excellent NIR characteristics and photostability. In vitro studies showed that LTZi-MHI148 selectively accumulated within pancreatic cancer cells through Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide (OATP) transporters and bound to cytoplasmic RhoJ. In vivo, the probe effectively targeted neoangiogenesis and Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasias (PanINs) in various PDAC models, including the orthotopic, ectopic, spontaneous, and tamoxifen-induced tumors. Notably, LTZi-MHI148 detected preneoplastic PanIN lesions with Overexpressed RhoJ and active neoangiogenesis in both spontaneous and tamoxifen-induced PDAC murine models. Longitudinal imaging studies revealed that RhoJ-targeted neoangiogenesis tracks lesion progression, highlighting LTZi-MHI148's utility in monitoring disease progression. Furthermore, multiple LTZi-MHI148 administrations attenuated PanINs to PDAC progression, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic intervention. These findings underscore the translational potential of LTZi-MHI148 for the early detection and targeted therapy of PDAC, utilizing NIR-I/II imaging to monitor RhoJ overexpression in precancerous ductal neoplasia associated with neoangiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510631, China
| | - Zhuang Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Yishu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510631, China
| | - Fengyun Zhao
- Cancer Research Institute of Zhongshan City, Zhongshan City People's Hospital, Zhongshan, Guangdong, 528403, China
| | - Jingmin Li
- Internal medicine department, Guangzhou women and children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510620, China
| | - Ruihan Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Weibin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510631, China
| | - Bei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510631, China
| | - Shaohui Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China
| | - Fugui Li
- Cancer Research Institute of Zhongshan City, Zhongshan City People's Hospital, Zhongshan, Guangdong, 528403, China
| | - Zilin Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Lisheng Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
| | - Xiaodong Ma
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510631, China
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Shen J, Su X, Wang S, Wang Z, Zhong C, Huang Y, Duan S. RhoJ: an emerging biomarker and target in cancer research and treatment. Cancer Gene Ther 2024:10.1038/s41417-024-00792-6. [PMID: 38858534 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-024-00792-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
RhoJ is a Rho GTPase that belongs to the Cdc42 subfamily and has a molecular weight of approximately 21 kDa. It can activate the p21-activated kinase family either directly or indirectly, influencing the activity of various downstream effectors and playing a role in regulating the cytoskeleton, cell movement, and cell cycle. RhoJ's expression and activity are controlled by multiple upstream factors at different levels, including expression, subcellular localization, and activation. High RhoJ expression is generally associated with a poor prognosis for cancer patients and is mainly due to an increased number of tumor blood vessels and abnormal expression in malignant cells. RhoJ promotes tumor progression through several pathways, particularly in tumor angiogenesis and drug resistance. Clinical data also indicates that high RhoJ expression is closely linked to the pathological features of tumor malignancy. There are various cancer treatment methods that target RhoJ signaling, such as direct binding to inhibit the RhoJ effector pocket, inhibiting RhoJ expression, blocking RhoJ upstream and downstream signals, and indirectly inhibiting RhoJ's effect. RhoJ is an emerging cancer biomarker and a significant target for future cancer clinical research and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinze Shen
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinming Su
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shana Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zehua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chenming Zhong
- Medical Genetics Center, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Shiwei Duan
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Cervantes-Villagrana RD, Color-Aparicio VM, Castillo-Kauil A, García-Jiménez I, Beltrán-Navarro YM, Reyes-Cruz G, Vázquez-Prado J. Oncogenic Gαq activates RhoJ through PDZ-RhoGEF. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15734. [PMID: 37958718 PMCID: PMC10647656 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115734] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic Gαq causes uveal melanoma via non-canonical signaling pathways. This constitutively active mutant GTPase is also found in cutaneous melanoma, lung adenocarcinoma, and seminoma, as well as in benign vascular tumors, such as congenital hemangiomas. We recently described that PDZ-RhoGEF (also known as ARHGEF11), a canonical Gα12/13 effector, is enabled by Gαs Q227L to activate CdcIn addition, and we demonstrated that constitutively active Gαq interacts with the PDZ-RhoGEF DH-PH catalytic module, but does not affect its binding to RhoA or Cdc. This suggests that it guides this RhoGEF to gain affinity for other GTPases. Since RhoJ, a small GTPase of the Cdc42 subfamily, has been involved in tumor-induced angiogenesis and the metastatic dissemination of cancer cells, we hypothesized that it might be a target of oncogenic Gαq signaling via PDZ-RhoGEF. Consistent with this possibility, we found that Gαq Q209L drives full-length PDZ-RhoGEF and a DH-PH construct to interact with nucleotide-free RhoJ-G33A, a mutant with affinity for active RhoJ-GEFs. Gαq Q209L binding to PDZ-RhoGEF was mapped to the PH domain, which, as an isolated construct, attenuated the interaction of this mutant GTPase with PDZ-RhoGEF's catalytic module (DH-PH domains). Expression of these catalytic domains caused contraction of endothelial cells and generated fine cell sprouts that were inhibited by co-expression of dominant negative RhoJ. Using relational data mining of uveal melanoma patient TCGA datasets, we got an insight into the signaling landscape that accompanies the Gαq/PDZ-RhoGEF/RhoJ axis. We identified three transcriptional signatures statistically linked with shorter patient survival, including GPCRs and signaling effectors that are recognized as vulnerabilities in cancer cell synthetic lethality datasets. In conclusion, we demonstrated that an oncogenic Gαq mutant enables the PDZ-RhoGEF DH-PH module to recognize RhoJ, suggesting an allosteric mechanism by which this constitutively active GTPase stimulates RhoJ via PDZ-RhoGEF. These findings highlight PDZ-RhoGEF and RhoJ as potential targets in tumors driven by mutant Gαq.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Daniel Cervantes-Villagrana
- Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN. Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Col San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (R.D.C.-V.)
| | - Víctor Manuel Color-Aparicio
- Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN. Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Col San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (R.D.C.-V.)
| | - Alejandro Castillo-Kauil
- Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN. Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Col San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (R.D.C.-V.)
| | - Irving García-Jiménez
- Department of Cell Biology, Cinvestav-IPN. Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Col San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Yarely Mabell Beltrán-Navarro
- Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN. Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Col San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (R.D.C.-V.)
| | - Guadalupe Reyes-Cruz
- Department of Cell Biology, Cinvestav-IPN. Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Col San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - José Vázquez-Prado
- Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN. Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Col San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (R.D.C.-V.)
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Ma Z, Sun Q, Zhang C, Zheng Q, Liu Y, Xu H, He Y, Yao C, Chen J, Xia H. RHOJ Induces Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition by IL-6/STAT3 to Promote Invasion and Metastasis in Gastric Cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:4411-4426. [PMID: 37781036 PMCID: PMC10535698 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.81972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Recently, the molecular classification of gastric cancer (GC) promotes the advances of GC patients' precision therapy and prognosis prediction. According to the Asian Cancer Research Group (ACRG), GC is classified as microsatellite instable (MSI) subtype GC, microsatellite stable/epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (MSS/EMT) subtype GC, MSS/TP53- subtype GC, and MSS/TP53+ subtype GC. Due to the easy metastasis of EMT-subtype GC, it has the worst prognosis, the highest recurrence rate, and the tendency to occur at a younger age. Therefore, it is curious and crucial for us to understand the molecular basis of EMT-subtype GC. Methods: The expression of RHOJ was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in GC cells and tissues. Western blotting and immunofluorescence (IF) were conducted to examine the effects of RHOJ on the EMT markers' expression of GC cells. The GC cells' migration and invasion were investigated by transwell assay. The tumor growth and metastasis were demonstrated correspondingly in different xenograft models. Results: Firstly, it was noticed that RHOJ was significantly upregulated in EMT-subtype GC and RHOJ has close relationships with the EMT process of GC, based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Next, transwell assay and tail vein metastasis models were conducted to verify that RHOJ mediates the EMT to regulate the invasion and metastasis of GC in vitro and in vivo. In addition, weakened tumor angiogenesis was observed after RHOJ knockdown by the angiogenesis assay of HUVEC. RNA-seq and further study unveiled that RHOJ aggravates the malignant progression of GC by inducing EMT through IL-6/STAT3 to promote invasion and metastasis. Finally, blocking the IL-6/STAT3 signaling overcame RHOJ-mediated GC cells' growth and migration. Conclusions: These results indicate that the upregulation of RHOJ contributes to EMT-subtype GC invasion and metastasis via IL-6/STAT3 signaling, and RHOJ is expected to become a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for EMT-subtype GC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijie Ma
- Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine & Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission & Jiangsu Antibody Drug Engineering Research Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Qi Sun
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Chengfei Zhang
- Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Qian Zheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission & Jiangsu Antibody Drug Engineering Research Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yixuan Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission & Jiangsu Antibody Drug Engineering Research Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Haojun Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission & Jiangsu Antibody Drug Engineering Research Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yiting He
- School of Basic Medical Sciences & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission & Jiangsu Antibody Drug Engineering Research Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Chengyun Yao
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jinfei Chen
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongping Xia
- Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine & Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences & Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique of National Health Commission & Jiangsu Antibody Drug Engineering Research Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
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Sawada M, Hamaguchi A, Mano N, Yoshida Y, Uemura A, Sawamoto K. PlexinD1 signaling controls domain-specific dendritic development in newborn neurons in the postnatal olfactory bulb. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1143130. [PMID: 37534039 PMCID: PMC10393276 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1143130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Newborn neurons show immature bipolar morphology and continue to migrate toward their destinations. After the termination of migration, newborn neurons undergo spatially controlled dendrite formation and change into a complex morphology. The mechanisms of dendritic development of newborn neurons have not been fully understood. Here, we show that in the postnatal olfactory bulb (OB), the Sema3E-PlexinD1 signaling, which maintains bipolar morphology of newborn neurons, also regulates their dendritic development after the termination of migration in a dendritic domain-specific manner. Genetic ablation of Sema3E or PlexinD1 enhanced dendritic branching in the proximal domain of the apical dendrites of OB newborn granule cells, whereas PlexinD1 overexpression suppressed it in a Rho binding domain (RBD)-dependent manner. Furthermore, RhoJ, a small GTPase that directly binds to PlexinD1RBD in vascular endothelial cells, is expressed in migrating and differentiating newborn granule cells in the OB and is also involved in the suppression of proximal branching of their apical dendrites. These results suggest that the Sema3E-PlexinD1-RhoJ axis regulates domain-specific dendrite formation of newborn neurons in the postnatal OB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Sawada
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
- Division of Neural Development and Regeneration, National Institute of Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Ayato Hamaguchi
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Naomichi Mano
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yutaka Yoshida
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, NY, United States
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Neural Circuit Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Uemura
- Department of Retinal Vascular Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazunobu Sawamoto
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
- Division of Neural Development and Regeneration, National Institute of Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
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Xu C, Zhong W, Zhang H, Jiang J, Zhou H. Gap26 inhibited angiogenesis through the β-catenin-VE-cadherin-VEGFR2-Erk signaling pathway. Life Sci 2023:121836. [PMID: 37295713 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the effect of connexin 43 (Cx43) on corneal neovascularization and its regulation of VEGFR2 on vascular endothelial cells. METHODS In vivo, we used mouse corneal suture model to induce corneal neovascularization and discovered the function of gap26 in corneal neovascularization. In vitro, the effect of gap26 on HUVEC was observed by cell proliferation, tube formation and scratch experiments. WB and PCR detected the changes in angiogenic protein and mRNA expression. Knockdown of key mRNA in neovascularization using siRNA confirmed that Cx43 regulates neovascularization through the β-catenin-VE-cadherin-VEGFR2-Erk signaling pathway. RESULTS In vivo, gap26 can reduce mouse corneal neovascularization. In vitro, we show that Cx43 expression is increased in the presence of VEGFA stimulation, and when we use gap26 to inhibit Cx43 can reduce vascular endothelial cell proliferation, tube formation and migration. We found that the expression of pVEGFR2 and pErk increased in response to VEGFA, while they decreased after using gap26. And the expression of β-catenin and VE-cadherin decreased in response to VEGFA, while they increased after using gap26. Furthermore, we found that Cx43 regulates angiogenesis through the β-catenin-VE-cadherin-VEGFR2-Erk pathway. CONCLUSIONS Gap26 can downregulate VEGFR2 phosphorylation by stabilizing the expression of β-catenin and VE-cadherin on the cell membrane, thereby inhibiting VEGFA-induced HUVECs proliferation, migration and tube formation and inhibiting corneal neovascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuyang Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Wei Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jinlan Jiang
- Scientific Research Center, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Hongyan Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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Liu W, Zeng Y, Huang L, Zhang X, Bi L, Fan W, Wu G. RHOJ as a novel mechanosensitive modulator of endothelial inflammation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 670:36-46. [PMID: 37271038 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.05.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Physiological high shear stress (HSS), a frictional force generated by flowing blood, is essential for endothelial homeostasis under normal physiological conditions. HSS suppresses atherosclerosis by inhibiting endothelial inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process have not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that HSS downregulated the mRNA and protein levels of ras homolog family member J (RHOJ) in endothelial cells (ECs). Silencing endogenous RHOJ expression decreased the mRNA and protein levels of proinflammatory vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in ECs, leading to a reduction in monocyte adhesion to ECs. Conversely, the overexpression of RHOJ had the opposite effect. RNA-sequencing analysis uncovered several differentially expressed genes (such as yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1),heme oxygenase-1 (HO1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1)) and pathways (such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and cell adhesion pathways) as RHOJ targets. Additionally, HSS was observed to alleviate endothelial inflammation by inhibiting RHOJ expression. Finally, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) illustrated that fluid shear stress regulates RHOJ expression in an N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-dependent manner. Mechanistically, the RNA m6A writer, methyltransferase 3 (METTL3), and the RNA m6A readers, YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA-binding protein F 3 (YTHDF3) and YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA-binding protein C 1/2 (YTHDC1/2), are involved in this process. Taken together, our data demonstrate that HSS-induced downregulation of RHOJ contributes to endothelial homeostasis by suppressing endothelial inflammation and that RHOJ inhibition in ECs is a promising therapeutic strategy for endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- WenQiang Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518033, Guangdong, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), PR China
| | - Yue Zeng
- Department of Cardiology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518033, Guangdong, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), PR China
| | - LiHan Huang
- Department of Cardiology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518033, Guangdong, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), PR China
| | - XiaoZhe Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518033, Guangdong, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), PR China
| | - LianRu Bi
- Department of Cardiology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518033, Guangdong, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), PR China
| | - WenDong Fan
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), PR China.
| | - GuiFu Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518033, Guangdong, PR China; NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), PR China; Guangdong Innovative Engineering and Technology Research Center for Assisted Circulation, PR China.
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Yadunandanan Nair N, Samuel V, Ramesh L, Marib A, David DT, Sundararaman A. Actin cytoskeleton in angiogenesis. Biol Open 2022; 11:bio058899. [PMID: 36444960 PMCID: PMC9729668 DOI: 10.1242/bio.058899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Actin, one of the most abundant intracellular proteins in mammalian cells, is a critical regulator of cell shape and polarity, migration, cell division, and transcriptional response. Angiogenesis, or the formation of new blood vessels in the body is a well-coordinated multi-step process. Endothelial cells lining the blood vessels acquire several new properties such as front-rear polarity, invasiveness, rapid proliferation and motility during angiogenesis. This is achieved by changes in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Actin remodelling underlies the switch between the quiescent and angiogenic state of the endothelium. Actin forms endothelium-specific structures that support uniquely endothelial functions. Actin regulators at endothelial cell-cell junctions maintain the integrity of the blood-tissue barrier while permitting trans-endothelial leukocyte migration. This review focuses on endothelial actin structures and less-recognised actin-mediated endothelial functions. Readers are referred to other recent reviews for the well-recognised roles of actin in endothelial motility, barrier functions and leukocyte transmigration. Actin generates forces that are transmitted to the extracellular matrix resulting in vascular matrix remodelling. In this review, we attempt to synthesize our current understanding of the roles of actin in vascular morphogenesis. We speculate on the vascular bed specific differences in endothelial actin regulation and its role in the vast heterogeneity in endothelial morphology and function across the various tissues of our body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Yadunandanan Nair
- Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India695014
| | - Victor Samuel
- Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India695014
| | - Lariza Ramesh
- Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India695014
| | - Areeba Marib
- Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India695014
| | - Deena T. David
- Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India695014
| | - Ananthalakshmy Sundararaman
- Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India695014
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Xing Z, Zhao C, Wu S, Yang D, Zhang C, Wei X, Wei X, Su H, Liu H, Fan Y. Hydrogel Loaded with VEGF/TFEB-Engineered Extracellular Vesicles for Rescuing Critical Limb Ischemia by a Dual-Pathway Activation Strategy. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2100334. [PMID: 34297471 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most severe clinical manifestation of peripheral arterial disease, which causes many amputations and deaths. Conventional treatment strategies for CLI (e.g., stent implantation and vascular surgery) bring surgical risk, which are not suitable for each patient. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can be a potential solution for CLI. Herein, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; i.e., a crucial molecule related to angiogenesis) and transcription factor EB (TFEB; i.e., a pivotal regulator of autophagy) are chosen as the target gene to improve the bioactivity of EVs derived from endothelial cells. The VEGF/TFEB-engineered EVs (Engineered-EVs) are fabricated by genetically engineering the parent cells, and their versatile functions are confirmed using three cell models (human umbilical vein endothelial cells, myoblast, and monocytes). Injectable thermal-responsive hydrogel are then combined with Engineered-EVs to combat CLI. These results reveal that the hydrogel can enhance the stability of Engineered-EVs in vivo and release EVs at different temperatures. Moreover, the results of animal studies indicate that Engineered-EV/Hydrogel can significantly improve neovascularization, attenuate muscle injury, and recover limb function after CLI. Finally, mechanistic studies shed light on the therapeutic effect of Engineered-EV/Hydrogel due to the activated VEGF/VEGFR pathway and autophagy-lysosomal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Xing
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100191 P. R. China
| | - Chen Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P. R. China
| | - Siwen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 P. R. China
| | - Depeng Yang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin Heilongjiang 150001 P. R. China
| | - Chunchen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310027 China
| | - Xinbo Wei
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100191 P. R. China
| | - Xinran Wei
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100191 P. R. China
| | - Haoran Su
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100191 P. R. China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100191 P. R. China
| | - Yubo Fan
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100191 P. R. China
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10
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Yu R, Kim NS, Li Y, Jeong JY, Park SJ, Zhou B, Oh WJ. Vascular Sema3E-Plexin-D1 Signaling Reactivation Promotes Post-stroke Recovery through VEGF Downregulation in Mice. Transl Stroke Res 2021; 13:142-159. [PMID: 33978913 PMCID: PMC8766426 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-021-00914-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Post-stroke vascular remodeling, including angiogenesis, facilitates functional recovery. Proper vascular repair is important for efficient post-stroke recovery; however, the underlying mechanisms coordinating the diverse signaling pathways involved in vascular remodeling remain largely unknown. Recently, axon guidance molecules were revealed as key players in injured vessel remodeling. One such molecule, Semaphorin 3E (Sema3E), and its receptor, Plexin-D1, control vascular development by regulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. In this study, using a mouse model of transient brain infarction, we aimed to investigate whether Sema3E-Plexin-D1 signaling was involved in cerebrovascular remodeling after ischemic injury. We found that ischemic damage rapidly induced Sema3e expression in the neurons of peri-infarct regions, followed by Plexin-D1 upregulation in remodeling vessels. Interestingly, Plexin-D1 reemergence was concurrent with brain vessels entering an active angiogenic process. In line with this, Plxnd1 ablation worsened neurological deficits, infarct volume, neuronal survival rate, and blood flow recovery. Furthermore, reduced and abnormal vascular morphogenesis was caused by aberrantly increased VEGF signaling. In Plxnd1 knockout mice, we observed significant extravasation of intravenously administered tracers in the brain parenchyma, junctional protein downregulation, and mislocalization in regenerating vessels. This suggested that the absence of Sema3E-Plexin-D1 signaling is associated with blood–brain barrier (BBB) impairment. Finally, the abnormal behavioral performance, aberrant vascular phenotype, and BBB breakdown defects in Plxnd1 knockout mice were restored following the inhibition of VEGF signaling during vascular remodeling. These findings demonstrate that Sema3E-Plexin-D1 signaling can promote functional recovery by downregulating VEGF signaling in the injured adult brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ri Yu
- Neurovascular Biology Laboratory, Neurovascular Unit Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-Suk Kim
- Neurovascular Biology Laboratory, Neurovascular Unit Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Yan Li
- Neurovascular Biology Laboratory, Neurovascular Unit Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Young Jeong
- Neurovascular Biology Laboratory, Neurovascular Unit Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Joon Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Bin Zhou
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Won-Jong Oh
- Neurovascular Biology Laboratory, Neurovascular Unit Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, 41062, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Uemura A, Fukushima Y. Rho GTPases in Retinal Vascular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073684. [PMID: 33916163 PMCID: PMC8036301 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Rho family of small GTPases (Rho GTPases) act as molecular switches that transduce extrinsic stimuli into cytoskeletal rearrangements. In vascular endothelial cells (ECs), Cdc42, Rac1, and RhoA control cell migration and cell–cell junctions downstream of angiogenic and inflammatory cytokines, thereby regulating vascular formation and permeability. While these Rho GTPases are broadly expressed in various types of cells, RhoJ is enriched in angiogenic ECs. Semaphorin 3E (Sema3E) releases RhoJ from the intracellular domain of PlexinD1, by which RhoJ induces actin depolymerization through competition with Cdc42 for their common effector proteins. RhoJ further mediates the Sema3E-induced association of PlexinD1 with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 2 and the activation of p38. Upon stimulation with VEGF-A, RhoJ facilitates the formation of a holoreceptor complex comprising VEGFR2, PlexinD1, and neuropilin-1, leading to the prevention of VEGFR2 degradation and the maintenance of intracellular signal transduction. These pleiotropic roles of RhoJ are required for directional EC migration in retinal angiogenesis. This review highlights the latest insights regarding Rho GTPases in the field of vascular biology, as it will be informative to consider their potential as targets for the treatment of aberrant angiogenesis and hyperpermeability in retinal vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiyoshi Uemura
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
- Department of Cell Biology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka 564-8565, Japan
- Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon 791-0295, Japan
- Uemura Eye Clinic, Nishinomiya 663-8101, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-798-61-8000
| | - Yoko Fukushima
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 563-0871, Japan;
- Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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12
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Nikolopoulou PA, Koufaki MA, Kostourou V. The Adhesome Network: Key Components Shaping the Tumour Stroma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:525. [PMID: 33573141 PMCID: PMC7866493 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Beyond the conventional perception of solid tumours as mere masses of cancer cells, advanced cancer research focuses on the complex contributions of tumour-associated host cells that are known as "tumour microenvironment" (TME). It has been long appreciated that the tumour stroma, composed mainly of blood vessels, cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells, together with the extracellular matrix (ECM), define the tumour architecture and influence cancer cell properties. Besides soluble cues, that mediate the crosstalk between tumour and stroma cells, cell adhesion to ECM arises as a crucial determinant in cancer progression. In this review, we discuss how adhesome, the intracellular protein network formed at cell adhesions, regulate the TME and control malignancy. The role of adhesome extends beyond the physical attachment of cells to ECM and the regulation of cytoskeletal remodelling and acts as a signalling and mechanosensing hub, orchestrating cellular responses that shape the tumour milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vassiliki Kostourou
- Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, Institute of Bioinnovation, 34 Fleming Str., 16672 Vari-Athens, Greece; (P.A.N.); (M.A.K.)
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13
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Targeting Neuropilin-1 Suppresses the Stability of CD4 + CD25 + Regulatory T Cells via the NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Sepsis. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00399-20. [PMID: 33139385 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00399-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropilin-1 (Nrp-1) contributes to maintaining the stability of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). We investigated the impact of Nrp-1 on the stability of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs, and the underlying signaling pathways, in a model of sepsis. Splenic CD4+ CD25+ Tregs were either treated with anti-Nrp-1, transfected to silence Nrp-1 and inhibitor of NF-κB kinase subunit beta (IKKβ), or administered ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), followed by recombinant semaphorin 3A (rSema3A), in a simulation of sepsis. After the creation of a sepsis model in mice, anti-Nrp-1 was administered. The expression of the gene encoding forkhead box protein P-3 foxp3-Treg-specific demethylated region (foxp3-TSDR), the apoptosis rate, the expression of Foxp-3, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin 10 (IL-10) and TGF-β1 secretion, and the NF-κB signaling activity of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs were determined. Sepsis simulation with or without rSema3A increased the stability of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs, including an increase in the expression of Foxp-3, CTLA-4, and TGF-β1, decreases in apoptosis and the methylation of foxp3-TSDR, increases in the secretion of TGF-β1 and IL-10, and an increase in the immunosuppressive effect on CD4+ T lymphocytes. Silencing of Nrp-1 or anti-Nrp-1 treatment abrogated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation with or without an rSema3A-mediated effect. Sepsis simulation increased the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB, as well as the ratios of phosphorylated IKKβ (p-IKKβ) to IKKβ and p-P65 to P65 in vitro and vivo Silencing of IKKβ expression or PDTC treatment suppressed the stability of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs in LPS-induced sepsis. Weakening Nrp-1 reduced the stability of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway; thus, Nrp-1 could be a new target for immunoregulation in sepsis.
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14
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Sundararaman A, Mellor H. A functional antagonism between RhoJ and Cdc42 regulates fibronectin remodelling during angiogenesis. Small GTPases 2020; 12:241-245. [PMID: 32857689 PMCID: PMC8205010 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2020.1809927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. Angiogenesis requires endothelial cells to change shape and polarity, as well as acquire the ability to directionally migrate ‒ processes that are classically regulated by the Rho family of GTPases. RhoJ (previously TCL) is an endothelium enriched Rho GTPase with a 78% amino acid similarity to the ubiquitously expressed Cdc42. In our recent publication, we demonstrate that α5β1 integrin co-traffics with RhoJ. RhoJ specifically represses the internalization of the active α5β1 conformer, leading to a reduced ability of endothelial cells to form fibronectin fibrils. Surprisingly, this function of RhoJ is in opposition to the role of Cdc42, a known driver of fibrillogenesis. Intriguingly, we discovered that the competition for limiting amounts of the shared effector, PAK3, could explain the ability of these two Rho GTPases to regulate fibrillogenesis in opposing directions. Consequently, RhoJ null mice show excessive fibronectin deposition around retinal vessels, possibly due to the unopposed action of Cdc42. Our work suggests that the functional antagonism between RhoJ and Cdc42 could restrict fibronectin remodelling to sites of active angiogenesis to form a provisional matrix for vessel growth. One correlate of our findings is that RhoJ dependent repression of fibronectin remodelling could be atheroprotective in quiescent vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananthalakshmy Sundararaman
- Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Harry Mellor
- School of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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15
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Fonseca CG, Barbacena P, Franco CA. Endothelial cells on the move: dynamics in vascular morphogenesis and disease. VASCULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 2:H29-H43. [PMID: 32935077 PMCID: PMC7487603 DOI: 10.1530/vb-20-0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The vascular system is a hierarchically organized network of blood vessels that play crucial roles in embryogenesis, homeostasis and disease. Blood vessels are built by endothelial cells – the cells lining the interior of blood vessels – through a process named vascular morphogenesis. Endothelial cells react to different biomechanical signals in their environment by adjusting their behavior to: (1) invade, proliferate and fuse to form new vessels (angiogenesis); (2) remodel, regress and establish a hierarchy in the network (patterning); and (3) maintain network stability (quiescence). Each step involves the coordination of endothelial cell differentiation, proliferation, polarity, migration, rearrangements and shape changes to ensure network integrity and an efficient barrier between blood and tissues. In this review, we highlighted the relevance and the mechanisms involving endothelial cell migration during different steps of vascular morphogenesis. We further present evidence on how impaired endothelial cell dynamics can contribute to pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina G Fonseca
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro Barbacena
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Claudio A Franco
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Instituto de Histologia e Biologia do Desenvolvimento, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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16
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Fukushima Y, Nishiyama K, Kataoka H, Fruttiger M, Fukuhara S, Nishida K, Mochizuki N, Kurihara H, Nishikawa SI, Uemura A. RhoJ integrates attractive and repulsive cues in directional migration of endothelial cells. EMBO J 2020; 39:e102930. [PMID: 32347571 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019102930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During angiogenesis, VEGF acts as an attractive cue for endothelial cells (ECs), while Sema3E mediates repulsive cues. Here, we show that the small GTPase RhoJ integrates these opposing signals in directional EC migration. In the GTP-bound state, RhoJ interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of PlexinD1. Upon Sema3E stimulation, RhoJ released from PlexinD1 induces cell contraction. PlexinD1-bound RhoJ further facilitates Sema3E-induced PlexinD1-VEGFR2 association, VEGFR2 transphosphorylation at Y1214, and p38 MAPK activation, leading to reverse EC migration. Upon VEGF stimulation, RhoJ is required for the formation of the holoreceptor complex comprising VEGFR2, PlexinD1, and neuropilin-1, thereby preventing degradation of internalized VEGFR2, prolonging downstream signal transductions via PLCγ, Erk, and Akt, and promoting forward EC migration. After conversion to the GDP-bound state, RhoJ shifts from PlexinD1 to VEGFR2, which then terminates the VEGFR2 signals. RhoJ deficiency in ECs efficiently suppressed aberrant angiogenesis in ischemic retina. These findings suggest that distinct Rho GTPases may act as context-dependent integrators of chemotactic cues in directional cell migration and may serve as candidate therapeutic targets to manipulate cell motility in disease or tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Fukushima
- Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.,Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koichi Nishiyama
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kataoka
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, Kobe, Japan
| | - Marcus Fruttiger
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Shigetomo Fukuhara
- Department of Molecular Pathophysiology, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Kohji Nishida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naoki Mochizuki
- Department of Cell Biology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kurihara
- Department of Physiological Chemistry and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Nishikawa
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, Kobe, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Uemura
- Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.,Department of Retinal Vascular Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
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