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Michaud ME, Mota L, Bakhtiari M, Thomas BE, Tomeo J, Pilcher W, Contreras M, Ferran C, Bhasin SS, Pradhan-Nabzdyk L, LoGerfo FW, Liang P, Bhasin MK. Early Injury Landscape in Vein Harvest by Single-Cell and Spatial Transcriptomics. Circ Res 2024; 135:110-134. [PMID: 38808504 PMCID: PMC11189745 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.123.323939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vein graft failure following cardiovascular bypass surgery results in significant patient morbidity and cost to the healthcare system. Vein graft injury can occur during autogenous vein harvest and preparation, as well as after implantation into the arterial system, leading to the development of intimal hyperplasia, vein graft stenosis, and, ultimately, bypass graft failure. Although previous studies have identified maladaptive pathways that occur shortly after implantation, the specific signaling pathways that occur during vein graft preparation are not well defined and may result in a cumulative impact on vein graft failure. We, therefore, aimed to elucidate the response of the vein conduit wall during harvest and following implantation, probing the key maladaptive pathways driving graft failure with the overarching goal of identifying therapeutic targets for biologic intervention to minimize these natural responses to surgical vein graft injury. METHODS Employing a novel approach to investigating vascular pathologies, we harnessed both single-nuclei RNA-sequencing and spatial transcriptomics analyses to profile the genomic effects of vein grafts after harvest and distension, then compared these findings to vein grafts obtained 24 hours after carotid-carotid vein bypass implantation in a canine model (n=4). RESULTS Spatial transcriptomic analysis of canine cephalic vein after initial conduit harvest and distention revealed significant enrichment of pathways (P<0.05) involved in the activation of endothelial cells (ECs), fibroblasts, and vascular smooth muscle cells, namely pathways responsible for cellular proliferation and migration and platelet activation across the intimal and medial layers, cytokine signaling within the adventitial layer, and ECM (extracellular matrix) remodeling throughout the vein wall. Subsequent single-nuclei RNA-sequencing analysis supported these findings and further unveiled distinct EC and fibroblast subpopulations with significant upregulation (P<0.05) of markers related to endothelial injury response and cellular activation of ECs, fibroblasts, and vascular smooth muscle cells. Similarly, in vein grafts obtained 24 hours after arterial bypass, there was an increase in myeloid cell, protomyofibroblast, injury response EC, and mesenchymal-transitioning EC subpopulations with a concomitant decrease in homeostatic ECs and fibroblasts. Among these markers were genes previously implicated in vein graft injury, including VCAN, FBN1, and VEGFC, in addition to novel genes of interest, such as GLIS3 and EPHA3. These genes were further noted to be driving the expression of genes implicated in vascular remodeling and graft failure, such as IL-6, TGFBR1, SMAD4, and ADAMTS9. By integrating the spatial transcriptomics and single-nuclei RNA-sequencing data sets, we highlighted the spatial architecture of the vein graft following distension, wherein activated and mesenchymal-transitioning ECs, myeloid cells, and fibroblasts were notably enriched in the intima and media of distended veins. Finally, intercellular communication network analysis unveiled the critical roles of activated ECs, mesenchymal-transitioning ECs, protomyofibroblasts, and vascular smooth muscle cells in upregulating signaling pathways associated with cellular proliferation (MDK [midkine], PDGF [platelet-derived growth factor], VEGF [vascular endothelial growth factor]), transdifferentiation (Notch), migration (ephrin, semaphorin), ECM remodeling (collagen, laminin, fibronectin), and inflammation (thrombospondin), following distension. CONCLUSIONS Vein conduit harvest and distension elicit a prompt genomic response facilitated by distinct cellular subpopulations heterogeneously distributed throughout the vein wall. This response was found to be further exacerbated following vein graft implantation, resulting in a cascade of maladaptive gene regulatory networks. Together, these results suggest that distension initiates the upregulation of pathological pathways that may ultimately contribute to bypass graft failure and presents potential early targets warranting investigation for targeted therapies. This work highlights the first applications of single-nuclei and spatial transcriptomic analyses to investigate venous pathologies, underscoring the utility of these methodologies and providing a foundation for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina E. Michaud
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA (M.E.M., M.B., B.E.T., S.S.B., M.K.B.)
| | - Lucas Mota
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (L.M., J.T., M.C., C.F., L.P.-N., F.W.L., P.L.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Mojtaba Bakhtiari
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA (M.E.M., M.B., B.E.T., S.S.B., M.K.B.)
| | - Beena E. Thomas
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA (M.E.M., M.B., B.E.T., S.S.B., M.K.B.)
| | - John Tomeo
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (L.M., J.T., M.C., C.F., L.P.-N., F.W.L., P.L.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - William Pilcher
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA (W.P., M.K.B.)
| | - Mauricio Contreras
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (L.M., J.T., M.C., C.F., L.P.-N., F.W.L., P.L.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Christiane Ferran
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (L.M., J.T., M.C., C.F., L.P.-N., F.W.L., P.L.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Center for Vascular Biology Research and the Division of Nephrology (C.F.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Swati S. Bhasin
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA (M.E.M., M.B., B.E.T., S.S.B., M.K.B.)
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children Healthcare of Atlanta, GA (S.S.B., M.K.B.)
| | - Leena Pradhan-Nabzdyk
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (L.M., J.T., M.C., C.F., L.P.-N., F.W.L., P.L.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Frank W. LoGerfo
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (L.M., J.T., M.C., C.F., L.P.-N., F.W.L., P.L.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Patric Liang
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (L.M., J.T., M.C., C.F., L.P.-N., F.W.L., P.L.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Manoj K. Bhasin
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA (M.E.M., M.B., B.E.T., S.S.B., M.K.B.)
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children Healthcare of Atlanta, GA (S.S.B., M.K.B.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA (W.P., M.K.B.)
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Abbey CA, Duran CL, Chen Z, Chen Y, Roy S, Coffell A, Sveeggen TM, Chakraborty S, Wells GB, Chang J, Bayless KJ. Identification of New Markers of Angiogenic Sprouting Using Transcriptomics: New Role for RND3. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:e145-e167. [PMID: 38482696 PMCID: PMC11043006 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320599] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND New blood vessel formation requires endothelial cells to transition from a quiescent to an invasive phenotype. Transcriptional changes are vital for this switch, but a comprehensive genome-wide approach focused exclusively on endothelial cell sprout initiation has not been reported. METHODS Using a model of human endothelial cell sprout initiation, we developed a protocol to physically separate cells that initiate the process of new blood vessel formation (invading cells) from noninvading cells. We used this model to perform multiple transcriptomics analyses from independent donors to monitor endothelial gene expression changes. RESULTS Single-cell population analyses, single-cell cluster analyses, and bulk RNA sequencing revealed common transcriptomic changes associated with invading cells. We also found that collagenase digestion used to isolate single cells upregulated the Fos proto-oncogene transcription factor. Exclusion of Fos proto-oncogene expressing cells revealed a gene signature consistent with activation of signal transduction, morphogenesis, and immune responses. Many of the genes were previously shown to regulate angiogenesis and included multiple tip cell markers. Upregulation of SNAI1 (snail family transcriptional repressor 1), PTGS2 (prostaglandin synthase 2), and JUNB (JunB proto-oncogene) protein expression was confirmed in invading cells, and silencing JunB and SNAI1 significantly reduced invasion responses. Separate studies investigated rounding 3, also known as RhoE, which has not yet been implicated in angiogenesis. Silencing rounding 3 reduced endothelial invasion distance as well as filopodia length, fitting with a pathfinding role for rounding 3 via regulation of filopodial extensions. Analysis of in vivo retinal angiogenesis in Rnd3 heterozygous mice confirmed a decrease in filopodial length compared with wild-type littermates. CONCLUSIONS Validation of multiple genes, including rounding 3, revealed a functional role for this gene signature early in the angiogenic process. This study expands the list of genes associated with the acquisition of a tip cell phenotype during endothelial cell sprout initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colette A. Abbey
- Texas A&M Health, Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan TX
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, TX
| | - Camille L. Duran
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, TX
| | - Zhishi Chen
- Center for Genomic and Precision Medicine, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Houston, TX
| | - Yanping Chen
- Center for Genomic and Precision Medicine, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Houston, TX
| | - Sukanya Roy
- Texas A&M Health, Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan TX
| | - Ashley Coffell
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, TX
| | - Timothy M. Sveeggen
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, TX
| | - Sanjukta Chakraborty
- Texas A&M Health, Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan TX
| | - Gregg B. Wells
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, TX
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, TX
| | - Jiang Chang
- Center for Genomic and Precision Medicine, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Houston, TX
| | - Kayla J. Bayless
- Texas A&M Health, Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan TX
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, TX
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Huang F, Welner RS, Chen JY, Yue Z. PAGER-scFGA: unveiling cell functions and molecular mechanisms in cell trajectories through single-cell functional genomics analysis. FRONTIERS IN BIOINFORMATICS 2024; 4:1336135. [PMID: 38690527 PMCID: PMC11058213 DOI: 10.3389/fbinf.2024.1336135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Understanding how cells and tissues respond to stress factors and perturbations during disease processes is crucial for developing effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enables high-resolution identification of cells and exploration of cell heterogeneity, shedding light on cell differentiation/maturation and functional differences. Recent advancements in multimodal sequencing technologies have focused on improving access to cell-specific subgroups for functional genomics analysis. To facilitate the functional annotation of cell groups and characterization of molecular mechanisms underlying cell trajectories, we introduce the Pathways, Annotated Gene Lists, and Gene Signatures Electronic Repository for Single-Cell Functional Genomics Analysis (PAGER-scFGA). Results: We have developed PAGER-scFGA, which integrates cell functional annotations and gene-set enrichment analysis into popular single-cell analysis pipelines such as Scanpy. Using differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from pairwise cell clusters, PAGER-scFGA infers cell functions through the enrichment of potential cell-marker genesets. Moreover, PAGER-scFGA provides pathways, annotated gene lists, and gene signatures (PAGs) enriched in specific cell subsets with tissue compositions and continuous transitions along cell trajectories. Additionally, PAGER-scFGA enables the construction of a gene subcellular map based on DEGs and allows examination of the gene functional compartments (GFCs) underlying cell maturation/differentiation. In a real-world case study of mouse natural killer (mNK) cells, PAGER-scFGA revealed two major stages of natural killer (NK) cells and three trajectories from the precursor stage to NK T-like mature stage within blood, spleen, and bone marrow tissues. As the trajectories progress to later stages, the DEGs exhibit greater divergence and variability. However, the DEGs in different trajectories still interact within a network during NK cell maturation. Notably, PAGER-scFGA unveiled cell cytotoxicity, exocytosis, and the response to interleukin (IL) signaling pathways and associated network models during the progression from precursor NK cells to mature NK cells. Conclusion: PAGER-scFGA enables in-depth exploration of functional insights and presents a comprehensive knowledge map of gene networks and GFCs, which can be utilized for future studies and hypothesis generation. It is expected to become an indispensable tool for inferring cell functions and detecting molecular mechanisms within cell trajectories in single-cell studies. The web app (accessible at https://au-singlecell.streamlit.app/) is publicly available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyuan Huang
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Robert S. Welner
- Hematology & Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Jake Y. Chen
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Zongliang Yue
- Health Outcome Research and Policy Department, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
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4
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Norman O, Vornanen T, Franssila H, Liinamaa J, Karvonen E, Kotkavaara T, Pohjanen VM, Ylikärppä R, Pihlajaniemi T, Hurskainen M, Heikkinen A. Expression of Collagen XIII in Tissues of the Thyroid and Orbit With Relevance to Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:6. [PMID: 38564194 PMCID: PMC10996972 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.4.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Antibodies against collagen XIII have previously been identified in patients with active thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Although collagen XIII expression has been described in extraocular muscles and orbital fat, its detailed localization in extraocular and thyroid tissues and the connection to autoimmunity for collagen XIII remain unclear. Our objective was to map the potential targets for these antibodies in the tissues of the orbit and thyroid. Methods We evaluated the expression of collagen XIII in human patient and mouse orbital and thyroid tissues with immunostainings and RT-qPCR using Col13a1-/- mice as negative controls. COL13A1 expression in Graves' disease and goiter thyroid samples was compared with TGF-β1 and TNF, and these were also studied in human thyroid epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Results Collagen XIII expression was found in the neuromuscular and myotendinous junctions of extraocular muscles, blood vessels of orbital connective tissue and fat and the thyroid, and in the thyroid epithelium. Thyroid expression was also seen in germinal centers in Graves' disease and in neoplastic epithelium. The expression of COL13A1 in goiter samples correlated with levels of TGF-B1. Upregulation of COL13A1 was reproduced in thyroid epithelial cells treated with TGF-β1. Conclusions We mapped the expression of collagen XIII to various locations in the orbit, demonstrated its expression in the pathologies of the Graves' disease thyroid and confirmed the relationship between collagen XIII and TGF-β1. Altogether, these data add to our understanding of the targets of anti-collagen XIII autoantibodies in TAO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oula Norman
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tuuli Vornanen
- Department of General Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, and Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Hanna Franssila
- Department of General Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, and Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Johanna Liinamaa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oulu University Hospital, and Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Elina Karvonen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oulu University Hospital, and Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tommi Kotkavaara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oulu University Hospital, and Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Vesa-Matti Pohjanen
- Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, Medical Research Centre Oulu, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Ritva Ylikärppä
- Department of General Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, and Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Taina Pihlajaniemi
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Merja Hurskainen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oulu University Hospital, and Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Anne Heikkinen
- ECM-Hypoxia Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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5
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Bejarano L, Kauzlaric A, Lamprou E, Lourenco J, Fournier N, Ballabio M, Colotti R, Maas R, Galland S, Massara M, Soukup K, Lilja J, Brouland JP, Hottinger AF, Daniel RT, Hegi ME, Joyce JA. Interrogation of endothelial and mural cells in brain metastasis reveals key immune-regulatory mechanisms. Cancer Cell 2024; 42:378-395.e10. [PMID: 38242126 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Brain metastasis (BrM) is a common malignancy, predominantly originating from lung, melanoma, and breast cancers. The vasculature is a key component of the BrM tumor microenvironment with critical roles in regulating metastatic seeding and progression. However, the heterogeneity of the major BrM vascular components, namely endothelial and mural cells, is still poorly understood. We perform single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing of sorted vascular cell types and detect multiple subtypes enriched specifically in BrM compared to non-tumor brain, including previously unrecognized immune regulatory subtypes. We integrate the human data with mouse models, creating a platform to interrogate vascular targets for the treatment of BrM. We find that the CD276 immune checkpoint molecule is significantly upregulated in the BrM vasculature, and anti-CD276 blocking antibodies prolonged survival in preclinical trials. This study provides important insights into the complex interactions between the vasculature, immune cells, and cancer cells, with translational relevance for designing therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leire Bejarano
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Agora Cancer Research Centre Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Lundin Family Brain Tumor Research Center, Departments of Oncology and Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Annamaria Kauzlaric
- Agora Cancer Research Centre Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Translational Data Science Facility, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eleni Lamprou
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Agora Cancer Research Centre Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Lundin Family Brain Tumor Research Center, Departments of Oncology and Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joao Lourenco
- Agora Cancer Research Centre Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Translational Data Science Facility, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Fournier
- Agora Cancer Research Centre Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Translational Data Science Facility, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michelle Ballabio
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Agora Cancer Research Centre Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Colotti
- In Vivo Imaging Facility (IVIF), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Roeltje Maas
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Agora Cancer Research Centre Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Lundin Family Brain Tumor Research Center, Departments of Oncology and Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Galland
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Agora Cancer Research Centre Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Lundin Family Brain Tumor Research Center, Departments of Oncology and Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Massara
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Agora Cancer Research Centre Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Lundin Family Brain Tumor Research Center, Departments of Oncology and Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Klara Soukup
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Agora Cancer Research Centre Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Johanna Lilja
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Agora Cancer Research Centre Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Philippe Brouland
- Department of Pathology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andreas F Hottinger
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Lundin Family Brain Tumor Research Center, Departments of Oncology and Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Roy T Daniel
- Lundin Family Brain Tumor Research Center, Departments of Oncology and Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Neurosurgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Monika E Hegi
- Lundin Family Brain Tumor Research Center, Departments of Oncology and Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Neurosurgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland; Neuroscience Research Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Johanna A Joyce
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Agora Cancer Research Centre Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Lundin Family Brain Tumor Research Center, Departments of Oncology and Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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6
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Michaud ME, Mota L, Bakhtiari M, Thomas BE, Tomeo J, Pilcher W, Contreras M, Ferran C, Bhasin S, Pradhan-Nabzdyk L, LoGerfo FW, Liang P, Bhasin MK. Integrated single-nuclei and spatial transcriptomic analysis reveals propagation of early acute vein harvest and distension injury signaling pathways following arterial implantation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.31.564995. [PMID: 37961724 PMCID: PMC10635041 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.31.564995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Background Vein graft failure (VGF) following cardiovascular bypass surgery results in significant patient morbidity and cost to the healthcare system. Vein graft injury can occur during autogenous vein harvest and preparation, as well as after implantation into the arterial system, leading to the development of intimal hyperplasia, vein graft stenosis, and, ultimately, bypass graft failure. While previous studies have identified maladaptive pathways that occur shortly after implantation, the specific signaling pathways that occur during vein graft preparation are not well defined and may result in a cumulative impact on VGF. We, therefore, aimed to elucidate the response of the vein conduit wall during harvest and following implantation, probing the key maladaptive pathways driving graft failure with the overarching goal of identifying therapeutic targets for biologic intervention to minimize these natural responses to surgical vein graft injury. Methods Employing a novel approach to investigating vascular pathologies, we harnessed both single-nuclei RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics (ST) analyses to profile the genomic effects of vein grafts after harvest and distension, then compared these findings to vein grafts obtained 24 hours after carotid-cartoid vein bypass implantation in a canine model (n=4). Results Spatial transcriptomic analysis of canine cephalic vein after initial conduit harvest and distention revealed significant enrichment of pathways (P < 0.05) involved in the activation of endothelial cells (ECs), fibroblasts (FBs), and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), namely pathways responsible for cellular proliferation and migration and platelet activation across the intimal and medial layers, cytokine signaling within the adventitial layer, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling throughout the vein wall. Subsequent snRNA-seq analysis supported these findings and further unveiled distinct EC and FB subpopulations with significant upregulation (P < 0.00001) of markers related to endothelial injury response and cellular activation of ECs, FBs, and VSMCs. Similarly, in vein grafts obtained 24 hours after arterial bypass, there was an increase in myeloid cell, protomyofibroblast, injury-response EC, and mesenchymal-transitioning EC subpopulations with a concomitant decrease in homeostatic ECs and fibroblasts. Among these markers were genes previously implicated in vein graft injury, including VCAN (versican), FBN1 (fibrillin-1), and VEGFC (vascular endothelial growth factor C), in addition to novel genes of interest such as GLIS3 (GLIS family zinc finger 3) and EPHA3 (ephrin-A3). These genes were further noted to be driving the expression of genes implicated in vascular remodeling and graft failure, such as IL-6, TGFBR1, SMAD4, and ADAMTS9. By integrating the ST and snRNA-seq datasets, we highlighted the spatial architecture of the vein graft following distension, wherein activated and mesenchymal-transitioning ECs, myeloid cells, and FBs were notably enriched in the intima and media of distended veins. Lastly, intercellular communication network analysis unveiled the critical roles of activated ECs, mesenchymal transitioning ECs, protomyofibroblasts, and VSMCs in upregulating signaling pathways associated with cellular proliferation (MDK, PDGF, VEGF), transdifferentiation (Notch), migration (ephrin, semaphorin), ECM remodeling (collagen, laminin, fibronectin), and inflammation (thrombospondin), following distension. Conclusions Vein conduit harvest and distension elicit a prompt genomic response facilitated by distinct cellular subpopulations heterogeneously distributed throughout the vein wall. This response was found to be further exacerbated following vein graft implantation, resulting in a cascade of maladaptive gene regulatory networks. Together, these results suggest that distension initiates the upregulation of pathological pathways that may ultimately contribute to bypass graft failure and presents potential early targets warranting investigation for targeted therapies. This work highlights the first applications of single-nuclei and spatial transcriptomic analyses to investigate venous pathologies, underscoring the utility of these methodologies and providing a foundation for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina E. Michaud
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Lucas Mota
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Mojtaba Bakhtiari
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Beena E. Thomas
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - John Tomeo
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - William Pilcher
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Mauricio Contreras
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Christiane Ferran
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Center for Vascular Biology Research and the Division of Nephrology Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Swati Bhasin
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
| | - Leena Pradhan-Nabzdyk
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Frank W. LoGerfo
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Patric Liang
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Manoj K. Bhasin
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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7
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Frimat M, Gnemmi V, Stichelbout M, Provôt F, Fakhouri F. Pregnancy as a susceptible state for thrombotic microangiopathies. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1343060. [PMID: 38476448 PMCID: PMC10927739 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1343060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy and the postpartum period represent phases of heightened vulnerability to thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs), as evidenced by distinct patterns of pregnancy-specific TMAs (e.g., preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome), as well as a higher incidence of nonspecific TMAs, such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or hemolytic uremic syndrome, during pregnancy. Significant strides have been taken in understanding the underlying mechanisms of these disorders in the past 40 years. This progress has involved the identification of pivotal factors contributing to TMAs, such as the complement system, ADAMTS13, and the soluble VEGF receptor Flt1. Regardless of the specific causal factor (which is not generally unique in relation to the usual multifactorial origin of TMAs), the endothelial cell stands as a central player in the pathophysiology of TMAs. Pregnancy has a major impact on the physiology of the endothelium. Besides to the development of placenta and its vascular consequences, pregnancy modifies the characteristics of the women's microvascular endothelium and tends to render it more prone to thrombosis. This review aims to delineate the distinct features of pregnancy-related TMAs and explore the contributing mechanisms that lead to this increased susceptibility, particularly influenced by the "gravid endothelium." Furthermore, we will discuss the potential contribution of histopathological studies in facilitating the etiological diagnosis of pregnancy-related TMAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Frimat
- CHU Lille, Nephrology Department, Univ. Lille, Lille, France
- Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Univ. Lille, Lille, France
| | | | | | - François Provôt
- CHU Lille, Nephrology Department, Univ. Lille, Lille, France
| | - Fadi Fakhouri
- Service of Nephrology and Hypertension, CHUV and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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8
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Cleuren A, Molema G. Organotypic heterogeneity in microvascular endothelial cell responses in sepsis-a molecular treasure trove and pharmacological Gordian knot. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1252021. [PMID: 38020105 PMCID: PMC10665520 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1252021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last decades, it has become evident that endothelial cells (ECs) in the microvasculature play an important role in the pathophysiology of sepsis-associated multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Studies on how ECs orchestrate leukocyte recruitment, control microvascular integrity and permeability, and regulate the haemostatic balance have provided a wealth of knowledge and potential molecular targets that could be considered for pharmacological intervention in sepsis. Yet, this information has not been translated into effective treatments. As MODS affects specific vascular beds, (organotypic) endothelial heterogeneity may be an important contributing factor to this lack of success. On the other hand, given the involvement of ECs in sepsis, this heterogeneity could also be leveraged for therapeutic gain to target specific sites of the vasculature given its full accessibility to drugs. In this review, we describe current knowledge that defines heterogeneity of organ-specific microvascular ECs at the molecular level and elaborate on studies that have reported EC responses across organ systems in sepsis patients and animal models of sepsis. We discuss hypothesis-driven, single-molecule studies that have formed the basis of our understanding of endothelial cell engagement in sepsis pathophysiology, and include recent studies employing high-throughput technologies. The latter deliver comprehensive data sets to describe molecular signatures for organotypic ECs that could lead to new hypotheses and form the foundation for rational pharmacological intervention and biomarker panel development. Particularly results from single cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics studies are eagerly awaited as they are expected to unveil the full spatiotemporal signature of EC responses to sepsis. With increasing awareness of the existence of distinct sepsis subphenotypes, and the need to develop new drug regimen and companion diagnostics, a better understanding of the molecular pathways exploited by ECs in sepsis pathophysiology will be a cornerstone to halt the detrimental processes that lead to MODS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Cleuren
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Grietje Molema
- Department Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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9
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Chovatiya G, Li KN, Li J, Ghuwalewala S, Tumbar T. Alk1 acts in non-endothelial VE-cadherin + perineurial cells to maintain nerve branching during hair homeostasis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5623. [PMID: 37699906 PMCID: PMC10497554 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40761-5] [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: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin is a well-recognized endothelial cell marker. One of its interacting partners, the TGF-β receptor Alk1, is essential in endothelial cells for adult skin vasculature remodeling during hair homeostasis. Using single-cell transcriptomics, lineage tracing and gene targeting in mice, we characterize the cellular and molecular dynamics of skin VE-cadherin+ cells during hair homeostasis. We describe dynamic changes of VE-cadherin+ endothelial cells specific to blood and lymphatic vessels and uncover an atypical VE-cadherin+ cell population. The latter is not a predicted adult endovascular progenitor, but rather a non-endothelial mesenchymal perineurial cell type, which forms nerve encapsulating tubular structures that undergo remodeling during hair homeostasis. Alk1 acts in the VE-cadherin+ perineurial cells to maintain proper homeostatic nerve branching by enforcing basement membrane and extracellular matrix molecular signatures. Our work implicates the VE-cadherin/Alk1 duo, classically known as endothelial-vascular specific, in perineurial-nerve homeostasis. This has broad implications in vascular and nerve disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopal Chovatiya
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Kefei Nina Li
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan Li
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Sangeeta Ghuwalewala
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Tudorita Tumbar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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10
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Gafranek JT, D'Aniello E, Ravisankar P, Thakkar K, Vagnozzi RJ, Lim HW, Salomonis N, Waxman JS. Sinus venosus adaptation models prolonged cardiovascular disease and reveals insights into evolutionary transitions of the vertebrate heart. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5509. [PMID: 37679366 PMCID: PMC10485058 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41184-y] [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: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
How two-chambered hearts in basal vertebrates have evolved from single-chamber hearts found in ancestral chordates remains unclear. Here, we show that the teleost sinus venosus (SV) is a chamber-like vessel comprised of an outer layer of smooth muscle cells. We find that in adult zebrafish nr2f1a mutants, which lack atria, the SV comes to physically resemble the thicker bulbus arteriosus (BA) at the arterial pole of the heart through an adaptive, hypertensive response involving smooth muscle proliferation due to aberrant hemodynamic flow. Single cell transcriptomics show that smooth muscle and endothelial cell populations within the adapting SV also take on arterial signatures. Bulk transcriptomics of the blood sinuses flanking the tunicate heart reinforce a model of greater equivalency in ancestral chordate BA and SV precursors. Our data simultaneously reveal that secondary complications from congenital heart defects can develop in adult zebrafish similar to those in humans and that the foundation of equivalency between flanking auxiliary vessels may remain latent within basal vertebrate hearts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob T Gafranek
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Enrico D'Aniello
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Napoli, Italy
| | - Padmapriyadarshini Ravisankar
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Kairavee Thakkar
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Ronald J Vagnozzi
- Division of Cardiology, Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation (CFReT), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Hee-Woong Lim
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Nathan Salomonis
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Joshua S Waxman
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
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11
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Temple S. Advancing cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:512-529. [PMID: 37084729 PMCID: PMC10201979 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Cell-based therapies are being developed for various neurodegenerative diseases that affect the central nervous system (CNS). Concomitantly, the roles of individual cell types in neurodegenerative pathology are being uncovered by genetic and single-cell studies. With a greater understanding of cellular contributions to health and disease and with the arrival of promising approaches to modulate them, effective therapeutic cell products are now emerging. This review examines how the ability to generate diverse CNS cell types from stem cells, along with a deeper understanding of cell-type-specific functions and pathology, is advancing preclinical development of cell products for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Temple
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA.
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12
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James J, Dekan A, Niihori M, McClain N, Varghese M, Bharti D, Lawal OS, Padilla-Rodrigez M, Yi D, Dai Z, Gusev O, Rafikova O, Rafikov R. Novel Populations of Lung Capillary Endothelial Cells and Their Functional Significance. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2887159. [PMID: 37205391 PMCID: PMC10187412 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2887159/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The role of the lung's microcirculation and capillary endothelial cells in normal physiology and the pathobiology of pulmonary diseases is unequivocally vital. The recent discovery of molecularly distinct aerocytes and general capillary (gCaps) endothelial cells by single-cell transcriptomics (scRNAseq) advanced the field in understanding microcirculatory milieu and cellular communications. However, increasing evidence from different groups indicated the possibility of more heterogenic structures of lung capillaries. Therefore, we investigated enriched lung endothelial cells by scRNAseq and identified five novel populations of gCaps with distinct molecular signatures and roles. Our analysis suggests that two populations of gCaps that express Scn7a(Na+) and Clic4(Cl-) ion transporters form the arterial-to-vein zonation and establish the capillary barrier. We also discovered and named mitotically-active "root" cells (Flot1+) on the interface between arterial, Scn7a+, and Clic4 + endothelium, responsible for the regeneration and repair of the adjacent endothelial populations. Furthermore, the transition of gCaps to a vein requires a venous-capillary endothelium expressing Lingo2. Finally, gCaps detached from the zonation represent a high level of Fabp4, other metabolically active genes, and tip-cell markers showing angiogenesis-regulating capacity. The discovery of these populations will translate into a better understanding of the involvement of capillary phenotypes and their communications in lung disease pathogenesis.
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13
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Chovatiya G, Li KN, Ghuwalewala S, Tumbar T. Single-cell transcriptomics of adult skin VE-cadherin expressing lineages during hair cycle. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.22.533784. [PMID: 36993228 PMCID: PMC10055414 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.22.533784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Adult skin homeostasis involves global reorganization of dermal lineages at different stages of the mouse hair growth cycle. Vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin encoded by Cdh5 ) expressing cells from blood and lymphatic vasculature structures are known to remodel during the adult hair cycle. Here we employ single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) 10x-genomics analysis of FACS-sorted VE-cadherin expressing cells marked via Cdh5-CreER genetic labeling at resting (telogen) and growth (anagen) stage of hair cycle. Our comparative analysis between the two stages uncovers a persistent Ki67 + proliferative EC population and documents changes in EC population distribution and gene expression. Global gene expression changes in all the analyzed populations revealed bioenergetic metabolic changes that may drive vascular remodeling during HF growth phase, alongside a few highly restricted cluster-specific gene expression differences. This study uncovers active cellular and molecular dynamics of adult skin endothelial lineages during hair cycle that may have broad implications in adult tissue regeneration and for understanding vascular disease.
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14
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Wälchli T, Bisschop J, Carmeliet P, Zadeh G, Monnier PP, De Bock K, Radovanovic I. Shaping the brain vasculature in development and disease in the single-cell era. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:271-298. [PMID: 36941369 PMCID: PMC10026800 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00684-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The CNS critically relies on the formation and proper function of its vasculature during development, adult homeostasis and disease. Angiogenesis - the formation of new blood vessels - is highly active during brain development, enters almost complete quiescence in the healthy adult brain and is reactivated in vascular-dependent brain pathologies such as brain vascular malformations and brain tumours. Despite major advances in the understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving angiogenesis in peripheral tissues, developmental signalling pathways orchestrating angiogenic processes in the healthy and the diseased CNS remain incompletely understood. Molecular signalling pathways of the 'neurovascular link' defining common mechanisms of nerve and vessel wiring have emerged as crucial regulators of peripheral vascular growth, but their relevance for angiogenesis in brain development and disease remains largely unexplored. Here we review the current knowledge of general and CNS-specific mechanisms of angiogenesis during brain development and in brain vascular malformations and brain tumours, including how key molecular signalling pathways are reactivated in vascular-dependent diseases. We also discuss how these topics can be studied in the single-cell multi-omics era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Wälchli
- Group of CNS Angiogenesis and Neurovascular Link, Neuroscience Center Zurich, and Division of Neurosurgery, University and University Hospital Zurich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Division of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Group of Brain Vasculature and Perivascular Niche, Division of Experimental and Translational Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Jeroen Bisschop
- Group of CNS Angiogenesis and Neurovascular Link, Neuroscience Center Zurich, and Division of Neurosurgery, University and University Hospital Zurich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Division of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Group of Brain Vasculature and Perivascular Niche, Division of Experimental and Translational Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Peter Carmeliet
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB & Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Heterogeneity, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Gelareh Zadeh
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Philippe P Monnier
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Donald K. Johnson Research Institute, Krembil Research Institute, Krembil Discovery Tower, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Katrien De Bock
- Laboratory of Exercise and Health, Department of Health Science and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Radovanovic
- Group of Brain Vasculature and Perivascular Niche, Division of Experimental and Translational Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
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15
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Naydenov DD, Vashukova ES, Barbitoff YA, Nasykhova YA, Glotov AS. Current Status and Prospects of the Single-Cell Sequencing Technologies for Revealing the Pathogenesis of Pregnancy-Associated Disorders. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:756. [PMID: 36981026 PMCID: PMC10048492 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a method that focuses on the analysis of gene expression profile in individual cells. This method has been successfully applied to answer the challenging questions of the pathogenesis of multifactorial diseases and open up new possibilities in the prognosis and prevention of reproductive diseases. In this article, we have reviewed the application of scRNA-seq to the analysis of the various cell types and their gene expression changes in normal pregnancy and pregnancy complications. The main principle, advantages, and limitations of single-cell technologies and data analysis methods are described. We discuss the possibilities of using the scRNA-seq method for solving the fundamental and applied tasks related to various pregnancy-associated disorders. Finally, we provide an overview of the scRNA-seq findings for the common pregnancy-associated conditions, such as hyperglycemia in pregnancy, recurrent pregnancy loss, preterm labor, polycystic ovary syndrome, and pre-eclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry D. Naydenov
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Elena S. Vashukova
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductology, 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Yury A. Barbitoff
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductology, 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Yulia A. Nasykhova
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductology, 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Andrey S. Glotov
- Faculty of Biology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductology, 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
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16
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Alvino VV, Mohammed KAK, Gu Y, Madeddu P. Approaches for the isolation and long-term expansion of pericytes from human and animal tissues. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 9:1095141. [PMID: 36704463 PMCID: PMC9873410 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1095141] [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: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Pericytes surround capillaries in every organ of the human body. They are also present around the vasa vasorum, the small blood vessels that supply the walls of larger arteries and veins. The clinical interest in pericytes is rapidly growing, with the recognition of their crucial roles in controlling vascular function and possible therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine. Nonetheless, discrepancies in methods used to define, isolate, and expand pericytes are common and may affect reproducibility. Separating pure pericyte preparations from the continuum of perivascular mesenchymal cells is challenging. Moreover, variations in functional behavior and antigenic phenotype in response to environmental stimuli make it difficult to formulate an unequivocal definition of bona fide pericytes. Very few attempts were made to develop pericytes as a clinical-grade product. Therefore, this review is devoted to appraising current methodologies' pros and cons and proposing standardization and harmonization improvements. We highlight the importance of developing upgraded protocols to create therapeutic pericyte products according to the regulatory guidelines for clinical manufacturing. Finally, we describe how integrating RNA-seq techniques with single-cell spatial analysis, and functional assays may help realize the full potential of pericytes in health, disease, and tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Khaled Abdelsattar Kassem Mohammed
- Bristol Heart Institute, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt
| | - Yue Gu
- Bristol Heart Institute, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Paolo Madeddu
- Bristol Heart Institute, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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17
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Levesque MV, Hla T. Signal Transduction and Gene Regulation in the Endothelium. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2023; 13:cshperspect.a041153. [PMID: 35667710 PMCID: PMC9722983 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular signals act on G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to regulate homeostasis and adapt to stress. This involves rapid intracellular post-translational responses and long-lasting gene-expression changes that ultimately determine cellular phenotype and fate changes. The lipid mediator sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and its receptors (S1PRs) are examples of well-studied GPCR signaling axis essential for vascular development, homeostasis, and diseases. The biochemical cascades involved in rapid S1P signaling are well understood. However, gene-expression regulation by S1PRs are less understood. In this review, we focus our attention to how S1PRs regulate nuclear chromatin changes and gene transcription to modulate vascular and lymphatic endothelial phenotypic changes during embryonic development and adult homeostasis. Because S1PR-targeted drugs approved for use in the treatment of autoimmune diseases cause substantial vascular-related adverse events, these findings are critical not only for general understanding of stimulus-evoked gene regulation in the vascular endothelium, but also for therapeutic development of drugs for autoimmune and perhaps vascular diseases.
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18
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Wakabayashi T, Naito H. Cellular heterogeneity and stem cells of vascular endothelial cells in blood vessel formation and homeostasis: Insights from single-cell RNA sequencing. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1146399. [PMID: 37025170 PMCID: PMC10070846 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1146399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) that constitute the inner surface of blood vessels are essential for new vessel formation and organ homeostasis. ECs display remarkable phenotypic heterogeneity across different organs and the vascular tree during angiogenesis and homeostasis. Recent advances in single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies have allowed a new understanding of EC heterogeneity in both mice and humans. In particular, scRNA-seq has identified new molecular signatures for arterial, venous and capillary ECs in different organs, as well as previously unrecognized specialized EC subtypes, such as the aerocytes localized in the alveolar capillaries of the lung. scRNA-seq has also revealed the gene expression profiles of specialized tissue-resident EC subtypes that are capable of clonal expansion and contribute to adult angiogenesis, a process of new vessel formation from the pre-existing vasculature. These specialized tissue-resident ECs have been identified in various different mouse tissues, including aortic endothelium, liver, heart, lung, skin, skeletal muscle, retina, choroid, and brain. Transcription factors and signaling pathways have also been identified in the specialized tissue-resident ECs that control angiogenesis. Furthermore, scRNA-seq has also documented responses of ECs in diseases such as cancer, age-related macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction. These new findings revealed by scRNA-seq have the potential to provide new therapeutic targets for different diseases associated with blood vessels. In this article, we summarize recent advances in the understanding of the vascular endothelial cell heterogeneity and endothelial stem cells associated with angiogenesis and homeostasis in mice and humans, and we discuss future prospects for the application of scRNA-seq technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taku Wakabayashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Taku Wakabayashi, ; Hisamichi Naito,
| | - Hisamichi Naito
- Department of Vascular Physiology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
- *Correspondence: Taku Wakabayashi, ; Hisamichi Naito,
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19
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Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Alleviates Irradiation Induced Salivary Gland Hypofunction through Preserving Endothelial Cells and Resident Macrophages. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11102050. [PMID: 36290773 PMCID: PMC9598384 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11102050] [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: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy for head-and-neck cancers frequently causes long-term hypofunction of salivary glands that severely compromises quality of life and is difficult to treat. Here, we studied effects and mechanisms of Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a versatile signaling sphingolipid, in preventing irreversible dry mouth caused by radiotherapy. Mouse submandibular glands (SMGs) were irradiated with or without intra-SMG S1P pretreatment. The saliva flow rate was measured following pilocarpine stimulation. The expression of genes related to S1P signaling and radiation damage was examined by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting, and/or single-cell RNA-sequencing. S1P pretreatment ameliorated irradiation-induced salivary dysfunction in mice through a decrease in irradiation-induced oxidative stress and consequent apoptosis and cellular senescence, which is related to the enhancement of Nrf2-regulated anti-oxidative response. In mouse SMGs, endothelial cells and resident macrophages are the major cells capable of producing S1P and expressing the pro-regenerative S1P receptor S1pr1. Both mouse SMGs and human endothelial cells are protected from irradiation damage by S1P pretreatment, likely through the S1pr1/Akt/eNOS axis. Moreover, intra-SMG-injected S1P did not affect the growth and radiosensitivity of head-and-neck cancer in a mouse model. These data indicate that S1P signaling pathway is a promising target for alleviating irradiation-induced salivary gland hypofunction.
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Gurung S, Restrepo NK, Chestnut B, Klimkaite L, Sumanas S. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of vascular endothelial cells in zebrafish embryos. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13065. [PMID: 35906287 PMCID: PMC9338088 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17127-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cells exhibit substantial phenotypic and transcriptional heterogeneity which is established during early embryogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in establishing endothelial cell diversity are still not well understood. Zebrafish has emerged as an advantageous model to study vascular development. Despite its importance, the single-cell transcriptomic profile of vascular endothelial cells during zebrafish development is still missing. To address this, we applied single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of vascular endothelial cells isolated from zebrafish embryos at the 24 hpf stage. Six distinct clusters or subclusters related to vascular endothelial cells were identified which include arterial, two venous, cranial, endocardial and endothelial progenitor cell subtypes. Furthermore, we validated our findings by characterizing novel markers for arterial, venous, and endocardial cells. We experimentally confirmed the presence of two transcriptionally different venous cell subtypes, demonstrating heterogeneity among venous endothelial cells at this early developmental stage. This dataset will be a valuable resource for future functional characterization of vascular endothelial cells and interrogation of molecular mechanisms involved in the establishment of their heterogeneity and cell-fate decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Gurung
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, USF Health Heart Institute, University of South Florida, 560 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL, 33602, USA
| | - Nicole K Restrepo
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, USF Health Heart Institute, University of South Florida, 560 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL, 33602, USA
| | - Brendan Chestnut
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Laurita Klimkaite
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Saulius Sumanas
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA. .,Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, USF Health Heart Institute, University of South Florida, 560 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL, 33602, USA.
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21
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Proteomic profiling of concurrently isolated primary microvascular endothelial cells, pericytes, and vascular smooth muscle cells from adult mouse heart. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8835. [PMID: 35614104 PMCID: PMC9132906 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12749-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The microcirculation serves crucial functions in adult heart, distinct from those carried out by epicardial vessels. Microvessels are governed by unique regulatory mechanisms, impairment of which leads to microvessel-specific pathology. There are few treatment options for patients with microvascular heart disease, primarily due to limited understanding of underlying pathology. High throughput mRNA sequencing and protein expression profiling in specific cells can improve our understanding of microvessel biology and disease at the molecular level. Understanding responses of individual microvascular cells to the same physiological or pathophysiological stimuli requires the ability to isolate the specific cell types that comprise the functional units of the microcirculation in the heart, preferably from the same heart, to ensure that different cells have been exposed to the same in-vivo conditions. We developed an integrated process for simultaneous isolation and culture of the main cell types comprising the microcirculation in adult mouse heart: endothelial cells, pericytes, and vascular smooth muscle cells. These cell types were characterized with isobaric labeling quantitative proteomics and mRNA sequencing. We defined microvascular cell proteomes, identified novel protein markers, and confirmed established cell-specific markers. Our results allow identification of unique markers and regulatory proteins that govern microvascular physiology and pathology.
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22
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Van der Ent MA, Svilar D, Cleuren AC. Molecular analysis of vascular gene expression. Res Pract Thromb Haemost 2022; 6:e12718. [PMID: 35599705 PMCID: PMC9118339 DOI: 10.1002/rth2.12718] [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: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
A State of the Art lecture entitled "Molecular Analysis of Vascular Gene Expression" was presented at the ISTH Congress in 2021. Endothelial cells (ECs) form a critical interface between the blood and underlying tissue environment, serving as a reactive barrier to maintain tissue homeostasis. ECs play an important role in not only coagulation, but also in the response to inflammation by connecting these two processes in the host defense against pathogens. Furthermore, ECs tailor their behavior to the needs of the microenvironment in which they reside, resulting in a broad display of EC phenotypes. While this heterogeneity has been acknowledged for decades, the contributing molecular mechanisms have only recently started to emerge due to technological advances. These include high-throughput sequencing combined with methods to isolate ECs directly from their native tissue environment, as well as sequencing samples at a high cellular resolution. In addition, the newest technologies simultaneously quantitate and visualize a multitude of RNA transcripts directly in tissue sections, thus providing spatial information. Understanding how ECs function in (patho)physiological conditions is crucial to develop new therapeutics as many diseases can directly affect the endothelium. Of particular relevance for thrombotic disorders, EC dysfunction can lead to a procoagulant, proinflammatory phenotype with increased vascular permeability that can result in coagulopathy and tissue damage, as seen in a number of infectious diseases, including sepsis and coronavirus disease 2019. In light of the current pandemic, we will summarize relevant new data on the latter topic presented during the 2021 ISTH Congress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Svilar
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA,Life Sciences InstituteUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Audrey C.A. Cleuren
- Life Sciences InstituteUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA,Cardiovascular Biology Research ProgramOklahoma Medical Research FoundationOklahoma CityOklahomaUSA
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23
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Gifre-Renom L, Daems M, Luttun A, Jones EAV. Organ-Specific Endothelial Cell Differentiation and Impact of Microenvironmental Cues on Endothelial Heterogeneity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031477. [PMID: 35163400 PMCID: PMC8836165 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells throughout the body are heterogeneous, and this is tightly linked to the specific functions of organs and tissues. Heterogeneity is already determined from development onwards and ranges from arterial/venous specification to microvascular fate determination in organ-specific differentiation. Acknowledging the different phenotypes of endothelial cells and the implications of this diversity is key for the development of more specialized tissue engineering and vascular repair approaches. However, although novel technologies in transcriptomics and proteomics are facilitating the unraveling of vascular bed-specific endothelial cell signatures, still much research is based on the use of insufficiently specialized endothelial cells. Endothelial cells are not only heterogeneous, but their specialized phenotypes are also dynamic and adapt to changes in their microenvironment. During the last decades, strong collaborations between molecular biology, mechanobiology, and computational disciplines have led to a better understanding of how endothelial cells are modulated by their mechanical and biochemical contexts. Yet, because of the use of insufficiently specialized endothelial cells, there is still a huge lack of knowledge in how tissue-specific biomechanical factors determine organ-specific phenotypes. With this review, we want to put the focus on how organ-specific endothelial cell signatures are determined from development onwards and conditioned by their microenvironments during adulthood. We discuss the latest research performed on endothelial cells, pointing out the important implications of mimicking tissue-specific biomechanical cues in culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Gifre-Renom
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.G.-R.); (M.D.); (A.L.)
| | - Margo Daems
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.G.-R.); (M.D.); (A.L.)
| | - Aernout Luttun
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.G.-R.); (M.D.); (A.L.)
| | - Elizabeth A. V. Jones
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.G.-R.); (M.D.); (A.L.)
- Department of Cardiology, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
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24
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Chesnais F, Hue J, Roy E, Branco M, Stokes R, Pellon A, Le Caillec J, Elbahtety E, Battilocchi M, Danovi D, Veschini L. High content Image Analysis to study phenotypic heterogeneity in endothelial cell monolayers. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:273879. [PMID: 34982151 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (EC) are heterogeneous across and within tissues, reflecting distinct, specialised functions. EC heterogeneity has been proposed to underpin EC plasticity independently from vessel microenvironments. However, heterogeneity driven by contact-dependent or short-range cell-cell crosstalk cannot be evaluated with single cell transcriptomic approaches as spatial and contextual information is lost. Nonetheless, quantification of EC heterogeneity and understanding of its molecular drivers is key to developing novel therapeutics for cancer, cardiovascular diseases and for revascularisation in regenerative medicine. Here, we developed an EC profiling tool (ECPT) to examine individual cells within intact monolayers. We used ECPT to characterise different phenotypes in arterial, venous and microvascular EC populations. In line with other studies, we measured heterogeneity in terms of cell cycle, proliferation, and junction organisation. ECPT uncovered a previously under-appreciated single-cell heterogeneity in NOTCH activation. We correlated cell proliferation with different NOTCH activation states at the single cell and population levels. The positional and relational information extracted with our novel approach is key to elucidating the molecular mechanisms underpinning EC heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois Chesnais
- Academic centre of reconstructive science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Jonas Hue
- Academic centre of reconstructive science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Errin Roy
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Floor 28, Tower Wing, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Marco Branco
- Academic centre of reconstructive science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Ruby Stokes
- Academic centre of reconstructive science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Aize Pellon
- Centre for host-microbiome interactions, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Juliette Le Caillec
- Academic centre of reconstructive science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Eyad Elbahtety
- Academic centre of reconstructive science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Matteo Battilocchi
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Floor 28, Tower Wing, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Davide Danovi
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Floor 28, Tower Wing, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.,bit.bio, Babraham Research Campus, The Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
| | - Lorenzo Veschini
- Academic centre of reconstructive science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
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25
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Li Y, Yang J, Huang Y, Ge S, Song X, Jia R, Wang Y. Cellular heterogeneity and immune microenvironment revealed by single-cell transcriptome in venous malformation and cavernous venous malformation. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2021; 162:130-143. [PMID: 34536440 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Venous malformation (VM) and cavernous venous malformation (CVM) are two types of vascular malformations. Even if the two diseases are similar in appearance and imaging, the distinct cellular components and signaling pathways between them might help distinguish the two from a molecular perspective. Here, we performed single-cell profiling of 35,245 cells from two VM samples and three CVM samples, with a focus on endothelial cells (ECs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and immune microenvironment (IME). Clustering analysis based on differential gene expression unveiled 11 specific cell types, and determined CVM had more SMCs. Re-clustering of ECs and SMCs indicated CVM was dominated by arterial components, while VM is dominated by venous components. Gene set variation analysis suggested the activation of inflammation-related pathways in VM ECs, and upregulation of myogenesis pathway in CVM SMCs. In IME analysis, immune cells were identified to accounted for nearly 30% of the total cell number, including macrophages, monocytes, NK cells, T cells and B cells. Notably, more macrophages and monocytes were discovered in VM, indicating innate immune responses might be more closely related to VM pathogenesis. In addition, angiogenesis pathway was highlighted among the significant pathways of macrophages & monocytes between CVM and VM. In VM, VEGFA was highly expressed in macrophages & monocytes, while its receptors were all abundantly present in ECs. The close interaction of VEGFA on macrophages with its receptors on ECs was also predicted by CellPhoneDB analysis. Our results document cellular composition, significant pathways, and critical IME in CVM and VM development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yazhuo Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yefei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China.
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26
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Wang L, Sievert D, Clark AE, Lee S, Federman H, Gastfriend BD, Shusta EV, Palecek SP, Carlin AF, Gleeson JG. A human three-dimensional neural-perivascular 'assembloid' promotes astrocytic development and enables modeling of SARS-CoV-2 neuropathology. Nat Med 2021; 27:1600-1606. [PMID: 34244682 PMCID: PMC8601037 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01443-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Clinical evidence suggests the central nervous system is frequently impacted by SARS-CoV-2 infection, either directly or indirectly, although the mechanisms are unclear. Pericytes are perivascular cells within the brain that are proposed as SARS-CoV-2 infection points. Here we show that pericyte-like cells (PLCs), when integrated into a cortical organoid, are capable of infection with authentic SARS-CoV-2. Before infection, PLCs elicited astrocytic maturation and production of basement membrane components, features attributed to pericyte functions in vivo. While traditional cortical organoids showed little evidence of infection, PLCs within cortical organoids served as viral 'replication hubs', with virus spreading to astrocytes and mediating inflammatory type I interferon transcriptional responses. Therefore, PLC-containing cortical organoids (PCCOs) represent a new 'assembloid' model that supports astrocytic maturation as well as SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication in neural tissue; thus, PCCOs serve as an experimental model for neural infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - David Sievert
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Alex E Clark
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sangmoon Lee
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Hannah Federman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA.,Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Benjamin D Gastfriend
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Eric V Shusta
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sean P Palecek
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Aaron F Carlin
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Joseph G Gleeson
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. .,Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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27
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Butsabong T, Felippe M, Campagnolo P, Maringer K. The emerging role of perivascular cells (pericytes) in viral pathogenesis. J Gen Virol 2021; 102. [PMID: 34424156 PMCID: PMC8513640 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001634] [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] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses may exploit the cardiovascular system to facilitate transmission or within-host dissemination, and the symptoms of many viral diseases stem at least in part from a loss of vascular integrity. The microvascular architecture is comprised of an endothelial cell barrier ensheathed by perivascular cells (pericytes). Pericytes are antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and play crucial roles in angiogenesis and the maintenance of microvascular integrity through complex reciprocal contact-mediated and paracrine crosstalk with endothelial cells. We here review the emerging ways that viruses interact with pericytes and pay consideration to how these interactions influence microvascular function and viral pathogenesis. Major outcomes of virus-pericyte interactions include vascular leakage or haemorrhage, organ tropism facilitated by barrier disruption, including viral penetration of the blood-brain barrier and placenta, as well as inflammatory, neurological, cognitive and developmental sequelae. The underlying pathogenic mechanisms may include direct infection of pericytes, pericyte modulation by secreted viral gene products and/or the dysregulation of paracrine signalling from or to pericytes. Viruses we cover include the herpesvirus human cytomegalovirus (HCMV, Human betaherpesvirus 5), the retrovirus human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, AIDS, and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, HAND), the flaviviruses dengue virus (DENV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), and the coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19). We touch on promising pericyte-focussed therapies for treating the diseases caused by these important human pathogens, many of which are emerging viruses or are causing new or long-standing global pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teemapron Butsabong
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Mariana Felippe
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Paola Campagnolo
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Kevin Maringer
- The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK
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28
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Chavkin NW, Sano S, Wang Y, Oshima K, Ogawa H, Horitani K, Sano M, MacLauchlan S, Nelson A, Setia K, Vippa T, Watanabe Y, Saucerman JJ, Hirschi KK, Gokce N, Walsh K. The Cell Surface Receptors Ror1/2 Control Cardiac Myofibroblast Differentiation. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e019904. [PMID: 34155901 PMCID: PMC8403294 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.019904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background A hallmark of heart failure is cardiac fibrosis, which results from the injury-induced differentiation response of resident fibroblasts to myofibroblasts that deposit extracellular matrix. During myofibroblast differentiation, fibroblasts progress through polarization stages of early proinflammation, intermediate proliferation, and late maturation, but the regulators of this progression are poorly understood. Planar cell polarity receptors, receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 and 2 (Ror1/2), can function to promote cell differentiation and transformation. In this study, we investigated the role of the Ror1/2 in a model of heart failure with emphasis on myofibroblast differentiation. Methods and Results The role of Ror1/2 during cardiac myofibroblast differentiation was studied in cell culture models of primary murine cardiac fibroblast activation and in knockout mouse models that underwent transverse aortic constriction surgery to induce cardiac injury by pressure overload. Expression of Ror1 and Ror2 were robustly and exclusively induced in fibroblasts in hearts after transverse aortic constriction surgery, and both were rapidly upregulated after early activation of primary murine cardiac fibroblasts in culture. Cultured fibroblasts isolated from Ror1/2 knockout mice displayed a proinflammatory phenotype indicative of impaired myofibroblast differentiation. Although the combined ablation of Ror1/2 in mice did not result in a detectable baseline phenotype, transverse aortic constriction surgery led to the death of all mice by day 6 that was associated with myocardial hyperinflammation and vascular leakage. Conclusions Together, these results show that Ror1/2 are essential for the progression of myofibroblast differentiation and for the adaptive remodeling of the heart in response to pressure overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas W. Chavkin
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of Cell BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Soichi Sano
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Hematovascular Biology CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
- Department of CardiologyGraduate School of MedicineOsaka City UniversityOsakaJapan
- Department of CardiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Ying Wang
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Hematovascular Biology CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
- Department of CardiologyXinqiao HospitalArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Kosei Oshima
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
| | - Hayato Ogawa
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of CardiologyGraduate School of MedicineOsaka City UniversityOsakaJapan
| | - Keita Horitani
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of CardiologyGraduate School of MedicineOsaka City UniversityOsakaJapan
| | - Miho Sano
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
- Department of CardiologyGraduate School of MedicineOsaka City UniversityOsakaJapan
| | - Susan MacLauchlan
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
| | - Anders Nelson
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Karishma Setia
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Tanvi Vippa
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Yosuke Watanabe
- Vascular Biology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
| | - Jeffrey J. Saucerman
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Karen K. Hirschi
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of Cell BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Hematovascular Biology CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineYale UniversityNew HavenCT
| | - Noyan Gokce
- Boston University School of MedicineBostonMA
| | - Kenneth Walsh
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Hematovascular Biology CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
- Department of CardiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
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COVID-19 is a systemic vascular hemopathy: insight for mechanistic and clinical aspects. Angiogenesis 2021; 24:755-788. [PMID: 34184164 PMCID: PMC8238037 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-021-09805-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is presenting as a systemic disease associated with vascular inflammation and endothelial injury. Severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection induce acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and there is still an ongoing debate on whether COVID-19 ARDS and its perfusion defect differs from ARDS induced by other causes. Beside pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as interleukin-1 β [IL-1β] or IL-6), several main pathological phenomena have been seen because of endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction: hypercoagulation reflected by fibrin degradation products called D-dimers, micro- and macrothrombosis and pathological angiogenesis. Direct endothelial infection by SARS-CoV-2 is not likely to occur and ACE-2 expression by EC is a matter of debate. Indeed, endothelial damage reported in severely ill patients with COVID-19 could be more likely secondary to infection of neighboring cells and/or a consequence of inflammation. Endotheliopathy could give rise to hypercoagulation by alteration in the levels of different factors such as von Willebrand factor. Other than thrombotic events, pathological angiogenesis is among the recent findings. Overexpression of different proangiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) or placental growth factors (PlGF) have been found in plasma or lung biopsies of COVID-19 patients. Finally, SARS-CoV-2 infection induces an emergency myelopoiesis associated to deregulated immunity and mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells, leading to features of acquired hematological malignancies or cardiovascular disease, which are discussed in this review. Altogether, this review will try to elucidate the pathophysiology of thrombotic complications, pathological angiogenesis and EC dysfunction, allowing better insight in new targets and antithrombotic protocols to better address vascular system dysfunction. Since treating SARS-CoV-2 infection and its potential long-term effects involves targeting the vascular compartment and/or mobilization of immature immune cells, we propose to define COVID-19 and its complications as a systemic vascular acquired hemopathy.
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30
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Li YH, Cao Y, Liu F, Zhao Q, Adi D, Huo Q, Liu Z, Luo JY, Fang BB, Tian T, Li XM, Liu D, Yang YN. Visualization and Analysis of Gene Expression in Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection Tissue Section by Spatial Transcriptomics. Front Genet 2021; 12:698124. [PMID: 34262602 PMCID: PMC8275070 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.698124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Spatial transcriptomics enables gene expression events to be pinpointed to a specific location in biological tissues. We developed a molecular approach for low-cell and high-fiber Stanford type A aortic dissection and preliminarily explored and visualized the heterogeneity of ascending aortic types and mapping cell-type-specific gene expression to specific anatomical domains. Methods: We collected aortic samples from 15 patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection and a case of ascending aorta was randomly selected followed by 10x Genomics and spatial transcriptomics sequencing. In data processing of normalization, component analysis and dimensionality reduction analysis, different algorithms were compared to establish the pipeline suitable for human aortic tissue. Results: We identified 19,879 genes based on the count level of gene expression at different locations and they were divided into seven groups based on gene expression trends. Major cell that the population may contain are indicated, and we can find different main distribution of different cell types, among which the tearing sites were mainly macrophages and stem cells. The gene expression of these different locations and the cell types they may contain are correlated and discussed in terms of their involvement in immunity, regulation of oxygen homeostasis, regulation of cell structure and basic function. Conclusion: This approach provides a spatially resolved transcriptome− and tissue-wide perspective of the adult human aorta and will allow the application of human fibrous aortic tissues without any effect on genes in different layers with low RNA expression levels. Our findings will pave the way toward both a better understanding of Stanford type A aortic dissection pathogenesis and heterogeneity and the implementation of more effective personalized therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Hong Li
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asian, Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Ying Cao
- Computational Virology Group, Center for Bacteria and Virus Resources and Application, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Fen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asian, Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asian, Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Dilare Adi
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asian, Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Qiang Huo
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Jun-Yi Luo
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asian, Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Bin-Bin Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asian, Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Ting Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asian, Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Xiao-Mei Li
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asian, Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Di Liu
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.,Computational Virology Group, Center for Bacteria and Virus Resources and Application, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yi-Ning Yang
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asian, Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.,People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
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31
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Mandrycky CJ, Howard CC, Rayner SG, Shin YJ, Zheng Y. Organ-on-a-chip systems for vascular biology. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2021; 159:1-13. [PMID: 34118217 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) platforms involve the miniaturization of cell culture systems and enable a variety of novel experimental approaches. These range from modeling the independent effects of biophysical forces on cells to screening novel drugs in multi-organ microphysiological systems, all within microscale devices. As in living systems, the incorporation of vascular structure is a key feature common to almost all organ-on-a-chip systems. In this review we highlight recent advances in organ-on-a-chip technologies with a focus on the vasculature. We first present the developmental process of the blood vessels through which vascular cells assemble into networks and remodel to form complex vascular beds under flow. We then review self-assembled vascular models and flow systems for the study of vascular development and biology as well as pre-patterned vascular models for the generation of perfusable microvessels for modeling vascular and tissue function. We finally conclude with a perspective on developing future OOC approaches for studying different aspects of vascular biology. We highlight the fit for purpose selection of OOC models towards either simple but powerful testbeds for therapeutic development, or complex vasculature to accurately replicate human physiology for specific disease modeling and tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian J Mandrycky
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
| | - Caitlin C Howard
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
| | - Samuel G Rayner
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Department of Medicine; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | - Yu Jung Shin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
| | - Ying Zheng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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32
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Nguyen J, Lin YY, Gerecht S. The next generation of endothelial differentiation: Tissue-specific ECs. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:1188-1204. [PMID: 34081899 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) sense and respond to fluid flow and regulate immune cell trafficking in all organs. Despite sharing the same mesodermal origin, ECs exhibit heterogeneous tissue-specific characteristics. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can potentially be harnessed to capture this heterogeneity and further elucidate endothelium behavior to satisfy the need for increased accuracy and breadth of disease models and therapeutics. Here, we review current strategies for hPSC differentiation to blood vascular ECs and their maturation into continuous, fenestrated, and sinusoidal tissues. We then discuss the contribution of hPSC-derived ECs to recent advances in organoid development and organ-on-chip approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Nguyen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Ying-Yu Lin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Sharon Gerecht
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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33
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Huang L, Liao J, Chen Y, Zou C, Zhang H, Yang X, Zhang Q, Li T, Mo L, Zeng Y, Bao M, Zhang F, Ye Y, Yang Z, Cheng J, Mo Z. Single-cell transcriptomes reveal characteristic features of cell types within the human adrenal microenvironment. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:7308-7321. [PMID: 33934358 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Various cells within the adrenal microenvironment are important in maintaining the body homeostasis. However, our understanding of adrenal disease pathogenesis is limited by an incomplete molecular characterization of the cell types responsible for the organ's multiple homeostatic functions. We report a cellular landscape of the human adrenal gland using single-cell RNA sequencing. We reveal characteristic features of cell types within the human adrenal microenvironment and found immune activation of nonimmune cells in the adrenal endothelial cells. We also reveal that abundant immune cells occupied a lot of space in adrenal gland. Additionally, Sex-related diversity in the adrenocortical cells and different gene expression profiles between the left and right adrenal gland are also observed at single-cell resolution. Together, at single-cell resolution, the transcriptomic map presents a comprehensive view of the human adrenal gland, which serves as a fundamental baseline description of this organ and paves a way for the further studies of adrenal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Huang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Institute of Urology and Nephrology, The First Afliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Jinling Liao
- Institute of Urology and Nephrology, The First Afliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Institute of Urology and Nephrology, The First Afliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Chunlin Zou
- Key Laboratory of Longevity and Ageing-related Diseases, Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Haiying Zhang
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Xiaobo Yang
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Qinyun Zhang
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Tianyu Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Institute of Urology and Nephrology, The First Afliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Linjian Mo
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Institute of Urology and Nephrology, The First Afliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Yanyu Zeng
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Mengying Bao
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Fangxing Zhang
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Yu Ye
- Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Zhanbin Yang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Institute of Urology and Nephrology, The First Afliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Jiwen Cheng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Institute of Urology and Nephrology, The First Afliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Zengnan Mo
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Institute of Urology and Nephrology, The First Afliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi key Laboratory for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China.,Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang, China
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34
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Pasut A, Becker LM, Cuypers A, Carmeliet P. Endothelial cell plasticity at the single-cell level. Angiogenesis 2021; 24:311-326. [PMID: 34061284 PMCID: PMC8169404 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-021-09797-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The vascular endothelium is characterized by a remarkable level of plasticity, which is the driving force not only of physiological repair/remodeling of adult tissues but also of pathological angiogenesis. The resulting heterogeneity of endothelial cells (ECs) makes targeting the endothelium challenging, no less because many EC phenotypes are yet to be identified and functionally inventorized. Efforts to map the vasculature at the single-cell level have been instrumental to capture the diversity of EC types and states at a remarkable depth in both normal and pathological states. Here, we discuss new EC subtypes and functions emerging from recent single-cell studies in health and disease. Interestingly, such studies revealed distinct metabolic gene signatures in different EC phenotypes, which deserve further consideration for therapy. We highlight how this metabolic targeting strategy could potentially be used to promote (for tissue repair) or block (in tumor) angiogenesis in a tissue or even vascular bed-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Pasut
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, K.U.Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lisa M Becker
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, K.U.Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anne Cuypers
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, K.U.Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Carmeliet
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, K.U.Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Heterogeneity, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
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35
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Ma F, Hernadez G, Romay M, Iruela-Arispe ML. Single-cell RNA sequencing to study vascular diversity and function. Curr Opin Hematol 2021; 28:221-229. [PMID: 33714967 PMCID: PMC8262106 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) can capture the transcriptional profile of thousands of individual cells concurrently from complex tissues and with remarkable resolution. Either with the goal of seeking information about distinct cell subtypes or responses to a stimulus, the approach has provided robust information and promoted impressive advances in cardiovascular research. The goal of this review is to highlight strategies and approaches to leverage this technology and bypass potential caveats related to evaluation of the vascular cells. RECENT FINDINGS As the most recent technological development, details associated with experimental strategies, analysis, and interpretation of scRNA-seq data are still being discussed and scrutinized by investigators across the vascular field. Compilation of this information is valuable for those using the technology but particularly important to those about to start utilizing scRNA-seq to seek transcriptome information of vascular cells. SUMMARY As our field progresses to catalog transcriptomes from distinct vascular beds, it is undeniable that scRNA-seq technology is here to stay. Sharing approaches to improve the quality of cell dissociation procedures, analysis, and a consensus of best practices is critical as information from this powerful experimental platform continues to emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyang Ma
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles 90024
| | - Gloria Hernadez
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles 90024
| | - Milagros Romay
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL 60611
| | - M. Luisa Iruela-Arispe
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL 60611
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36
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Wang L, Sievert D, Gleeson J, Clark AE, Carlin AF, Federman H, Gastfriend BD, Shusta E, Palecek SP. A Human 3D neural assembloid model for SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESEARCH SQUARE 2021:rs.3.rs-214352. [PMID: 33594354 PMCID: PMC7885926 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-214352/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Clinical evidence suggests the central nervous system (CNS) is frequently impacted by SARS-CoV-2 infection, either directly or indirectly, although mechanisms remain unclear. Pericytes are perivascular cells within the brain that are proposed as SARS-CoV-2 infection points 1 . Here we show that pericyte-like cells (PLCs), when integrated into a cortical organoid, are capable of infection with authentic SARS-CoV-2. Prior to infection, PLCs elicited astrocytic maturation and production of basement membrane components, features attributed to pericyte functions in vivo. While traditional cortical organoids showed little evidence of infection, PLCs within cortical organoids served as viral 'replication hubs', with virus spreading to astrocytes and mediating inflammatory type I interferon transcriptional responses. Therefore, PLC-containing cortical organoids (PCCOs) represent a new 'assembloid' model 2 that supports SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication in neural tissue, and PCCOs serve as an experimental model for neural infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA
| | - David Sievert
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA
| | - Joseph Gleeson
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA; Department for Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Alex E Clark
- Department of Medicine; University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Aaron F Carlin
- Department of Medicine; University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Hannah Federman
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers-The State University, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA
| | - Benjamin D Gastfriend
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Eric Shusta
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Sean P Palecek
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
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37
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Wang L, Sievert D, Clark AE, Federman H, Gastfriend BD, Shusta E, Palecek SP, Carlin AF, Gleeson J. A Human 3D neural assembloid model for SARS-CoV-2 infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021. [PMID: 33594369 DOI: 10.1101/2021.02.09.430349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Clinical evidence suggests the central nervous system (CNS) is frequently impacted by SARS-CoV-2 infection, either directly or indirectly, although mechanisms remain unclear. Pericytes are perivascular cells within the brain that are proposed as SARS-CoV-2 infection points 1 . Here we show that pericyte-like cells (PLCs), when integrated into a cortical organoid, are capable of infection with authentic SARS-CoV-2. Prior to infection, PLCs elicited astrocytic maturation and production of basement membrane components, features attributed to pericyte functions in vivo. While traditional cortical organoids showed little evidence of infection, PLCs within cortical organoids served as viral 'replication hubs', with virus spreading to astrocytes and mediating inflammatory type I interferon transcriptional responses. Therefore, PLC-containing cortical organoids (PCCOs) represent a new 'assembloid' model 2 that supports SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication in neural tissue, and PCCOs serve as an experimental model for neural infection.
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38
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Cai Q, Liao W, Xue F, Wang X, Zhou W, Li Y, Zeng W. Selection of different endothelialization modes and different seed cells for tissue-engineered vascular graft. Bioact Mater 2021; 6:2557-2568. [PMID: 33665496 PMCID: PMC7887299 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2020.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) have enormous potential for vascular replacement therapy. However, thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia are important problems associated with TEVGs especially small diameter TEVGs (<6 mm) after transplantation. Endothelialization of TEVGs is a key point to prevent thrombosis. Here, we discuss different types of endothelialization and different seed cells of tissue-engineered vascular grafts. Meanwhile, endothelial heterogeneity is also discussed. Based on it, we provide a new perspective for selecting suitable types of endothelialization and suitable seed cells to improve the long-term patency rate of tissue-engineered vascular grafts with different diameters and lengths. The material, diameter and length of tissue-engineered vascular graft are all key factors affecting its long-term patency. Endothelialization strategies should consider the different diameters and lengths of tissue-engineered vascular grafts. Cell heterogeneity and tissue heterogeneity should be considered in the application of seed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingjin Cai
- Department of Cell Biology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Wanshan Liao
- Department of Cell Biology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Fangchao Xue
- Department of Cell Biology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Weiming Zhou
- Department of Cell Biology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yanzhao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Chongqing, China
| | - Wen Zeng
- Department of Cell Biology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.,State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Chongqing, China.,Departments of Neurology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Iqbal F, Lupieri A, Aikawa M, Aikawa E. Harnessing Single-Cell RNA Sequencing to Better Understand How Diseased Cells Behave the Way They Do in Cardiovascular Disease. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:585-600. [PMID: 33327741 PMCID: PMC8105278 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.314776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The transition of healthy arteries and cardiac valves into dense, cell-rich, calcified, and fibrotic tissues is driven by a complex interplay of both cellular and molecular mechanisms. Specific cell types in these cardiovascular tissues become activated following the exposure to systemic stimuli including circulating lipoproteins or inflammatory mediators. This activation induces multiple cascades of events where changes in cell phenotypes and activation of certain receptors may trigger multiple pathways and specific alterations to the transcriptome. Modifications to the transcriptome and proteome can give rise to pathological cell phenotypes and trigger mechanisms that exacerbate inflammation, proliferation, calcification, and recruitment of resident or distant cells. Accumulating evidence suggests that each cell type involved in vascular and valvular diseases is heterogeneous. Single-cell RNA sequencing is a transforming medical research tool that enables the profiling of the unique fingerprints at single-cell levels. Its applications have allowed the construction of cell atlases including the mammalian heart and tissue vasculature and the discovery of new cell types implicated in cardiovascular disease. Recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing have facilitated the identification of novel resident cell populations that become activated during disease and has allowed tracing the transition of healthy cells into pathological phenotypes. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing has permitted the characterization of heterogeneous cell subpopulations with unique genetic profiles in healthy and pathological cardiovascular tissues. In this review, we highlight the latest groundbreaking research that has improved our understanding of the pathological mechanisms of atherosclerosis and future directions for calcific aortic valve disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farwah Iqbal
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Adrien Lupieri
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Masanori Aikawa
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Elena Aikawa
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Human Pathology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, 119992, Russia
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Gust J, Ponce R, Liles WC, Garden GA, Turtle CJ. Cytokines in CAR T Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity. Front Immunol 2020; 11:577027. [PMID: 33391257 PMCID: PMC7772425 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.577027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells provide new therapeutic options for patients with relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies. However, neurotoxicity is a frequent, and potentially fatal, complication. The spectrum of manifestations ranges from delirium and language dysfunction to seizures, coma, and fatal cerebral edema. This novel syndrome has been designated immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). In this review, we draw an arc from our current understanding of how systemic and potentially local cytokine release act on the CNS, toward possible preventive and therapeutic approaches. We systematically review reported correlations of secreted inflammatory mediators in the serum/plasma and cerebrospinal fluid with the risk of ICANS in patients receiving CAR T cell therapy. Possible pathophysiologic impacts on the CNS are covered in detail for the most promising candidate cytokines, including IL-1, IL-6, IL-15, and GM-CSF. To provide insight into possible final common pathways of CNS inflammation, we place ICANS into the context of other systemic inflammatory conditions that are associated with neurologic dysfunction, including sepsis-associated encephalopathy, cerebral malaria, thrombotic microangiopathy, CNS infections, and hepatic encephalopathy. We then review in detail what is known about systemic cytokine interaction with components of the neurovascular unit, including endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes, and how microglia and neurons respond to systemic inflammatory challenges. Current therapeutic approaches, including corticosteroids and blockade of IL-1 and IL-6 signaling, are reviewed in the context of what is known about the role of cytokines in ICANS. Throughout, we point out gaps in knowledge and possible new approaches for the investigation of the mechanism, prevention, and treatment of ICANS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Gust
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle, WA, United States
| | | | - W. Conrad Liles
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Gwenn A. Garden
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Cameron J. Turtle
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
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Bray MA, Sartain SE, Gollamudi J, Rumbaut RE. Microvascular thrombosis: experimental and clinical implications. Transl Res 2020; 225:105-130. [PMID: 32454092 PMCID: PMC7245314 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A significant amount of clinical and research interest in thrombosis is focused on large vessels (eg, stroke, myocardial infarction, deep venous thrombosis, etc.); however, thrombosis is often present in the microcirculation in a variety of significant human diseases, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation, thrombotic microangiopathy, sickle cell disease, and others. Further, microvascular thrombosis has recently been demonstrated in patients with COVID-19, and has been proposed to mediate the pathogenesis of organ injury in this disease. In many of these conditions, microvascular thrombosis is accompanied by inflammation, an association referred to as thromboinflammation. In this review, we discuss endogenous regulatory mechanisms that prevent thrombosis in the microcirculation, experimental approaches to induce microvascular thrombi, and clinical conditions associated with microvascular thrombosis. A greater understanding of the links between inflammation and thrombosis in the microcirculation is anticipated to provide optimal therapeutic targets for patients with diseases accompanied by microvascular thrombosis.
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Key Words
- adamts13, a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 13
- ap, alternate pathway
- apc, activated protein c
- aps, antiphospholipid syndrome
- caps, catastrophic aps
- asfa, american society for apheresis
- atp, adenosine triphosphate
- cfh, complement factor h
- con a, concavalin a
- cox, cyclooxygenase
- damp, damage-associated molecular pattern
- dic, disseminated intravascular coagulation
- gbm, glomerular basement membrane
- hellp, hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets
- hitt, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis
- hlh, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
- hus, hemolytic-uremic syndrome
- isth, international society for thrombosis and haemostasis
- ivig, intravenous immunoglobulin
- ldh, lactate nos, nitric oxide synthase
- net, neutrophil extracellular trap
- pai-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1
- pf4, platelet factor 4
- prr, pattern recognition receptor
- rbc, red blood cell
- scd, sickle cell disease
- sle, systemic lupus erythematosus
- tlr, toll-like receptor
- tf, tissue factor
- tfpi, tissue factor pathway inhibitor
- tma, thrombotic microangiopathy
- tnf-α, tumor necrosis factor-α
- tpe, therapeutic plasma exchange
- ulc, ultra large heparin-pf4 complexes
- ulvwf, ultra-large von willebrand factor
- vwf, von willebrand factor
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica A Bray
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CTRID), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Sarah E Sartain
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CTRID), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jahnavi Gollamudi
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CTRID), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Rolando E Rumbaut
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CTRID), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
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Mühleder S, Fernández-Chacón M, Garcia-Gonzalez I, Benedito R. Endothelial sprouting, proliferation, or senescence: tipping the balance from physiology to pathology. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 78:1329-1354. [PMID: 33078209 PMCID: PMC7904752 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03664-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic modulation of vascular cell proliferation and migration is essential for the effective inhibition of angiogenesis in cancer or its induction in cardiovascular disease. The general view is that an increase in vascular growth factor levels or mitogenic stimulation is beneficial for angiogenesis, since it leads to an increase in both endothelial proliferation and sprouting. However, several recent studies showed that an increase in mitogenic stimuli can also lead to the arrest of angiogenesis. This is due to the existence of intrinsic signaling feedback loops and cell cycle checkpoints that work in synchrony to maintain a balance between endothelial proliferation and sprouting. This balance is tightly and effectively regulated during tissue growth and is often deregulated or impaired in disease. Most therapeutic strategies used so far to promote vascular growth simply increase mitogenic stimuli, without taking into account its deleterious effects on this balance and on vascular cells. Here, we review the main findings on the mechanisms controlling physiological vascular sprouting, proliferation, and senescence and how those mechanisms are often deregulated in acquired or congenital cardiovascular disease leading to a diverse range of pathologies. We also discuss alternative approaches to increase the effectiveness of pro-angiogenic therapies in cardiovascular regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Severin Mühleder
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Macarena Fernández-Chacón
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Garcia-Gonzalez
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rui Benedito
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
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Chavkin NW, Walsh K, Hirschi KK. Isolation of Highly Purified and Viable Retinal Endothelial Cells. J Vasc Res 2020; 58:49-57. [PMID: 33022674 PMCID: PMC7850292 DOI: 10.1159/000510533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The neonatal mouse retinal vascularization model has been widely used in the vascular biology field to investigate mechanisms of angiogenesis and arterial-venous fate specification during blood vessel formation and maturation. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing can further elucidate mechanisms of blood vessel formation and remodeling in this, as well as other, vascular development models. However, an optimized method for isolating retinal endothelial cells that limits tissue digestion-induced cell damage is required for next-generation sequencing applications. In this study, we established a method for isolating neonatal retinal endothelial cells that optimizes cell viability and purity. The CD31+/CD45- endothelial cell population was fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-isolated from digested postnatal retinas, found to be highly enriched for endothelial cell gene expression, and exhibited no change in viability for 60 min post-FACS. Thus, this method for retinal endothelial cell isolation is compatible with next-generation sequencing applications. Combining this isolation method with next-generation sequencing will enable further delineation of mechanisms underlying vascular development and maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas W Chavkin
- Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA,
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA,
- Department of Cardiology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA,
| | - Kenneth Walsh
- Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Cardiology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Karen K Hirschi
- Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Subbotin VM. Pattern of organ remodeling in chronic non-communicable diseases is due to endogenous regulations and falls under the category of Kauffman's self-organization: A case of arterial neointimal pathology. Med Hypotheses 2020; 143:110106. [PMID: 32759005 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Clinical diagnosis is based on analysis of pathologic findings that may result in perceived patterns. The same is true for diagnostic pathology: Pattern analysis is a foundation of the histopathology-based diagnostic system and, in conjunction with clinical and laboratory findings, forms a basis for the classification of diseases. Any histopathology diagnosis is based on the explicit assumption that the same diseased condition should result in formation of the same (or highly similar) morphologic patterns in different individuals; it is a standard approach in microscopic pathology, including that of non-communicable chronic diseases with organ remodeling. During fifty years of examining diseased tissues under microscopy, I keep asking the same question: Why is a similarity of patterns expected for chronic organ remodeling? For infection diseases, xenobiotic toxicity and deficiencies forming an identical pathologic pattern in different individuals is understandable and logical: The same infection, xenobiotic, or deficiency strikes the same target, which results in identical pathology. The same is true for Mendelian diseases: The same mutations lead to the same altered gene expressions and the same pathologic pattern. But why does this regularity hold true for chronic diseases with organ remodeling? Presumable causes (or risk factors) for a particular chronic disease differ in magnitude and duration between individuals, which should result in various series of transformations. Yet, mysteriously enough, pathological remodeling in a particular chronic disease always falls into a main dominating pattern, perpetuating and progressing in a similar fashion in different patients. Furthermore, some chronic diseases of different etiologies and dissimilar causes/risk factors manifest as identical or highly similar patterns of pathologic remodeling. HYPOTHESIS: I hypothesize that regulations governing a particular organ's chronic remodeling were selected in evolution as the safest response to various insults and physiologic stress conditions. This hypothesis implies that regulations directing diseased chronic remodeling always preexist but normally are controlled; this control can be disrupted by a diverse range of non-specific signals, liberating the pathway for identical pathologic remodeling. This hypothesis was tested in an analysis of arterial neointimal formation, the identical pathology occurring in different diseases and pathological conditions: graft vascular disease in organ transplantation, in-stent restenosis, peripheral arterial diseases, idiopathic intimal hyperplasia, Kawasaki disease, coronary atherosclerosis and as reaction to drugs. The hypothesis suggests that arterial intimal cells are poised between only two alternative pathways: the pathway with controlled intimal cell proliferation or the pathway where such control is disrupted, ultimately leading to the progressive neointimal pathology. By this property the arterial neointimal formation constitutes a special case of Kauffman's self-organization. This new hypothesis gives a parsimonious explanation for identical pathological patterns of arterial remodeling (neointimal formation), which occurs in diseases of different etiologies and due to dissimilar causes/risk factors, or without any etiology and causes/risk factors at all. This new hypothesis also suggests that regulation facilitating intimal cell proliferation cannot be overwritten or annulled because this feature is vital for arterial differentiation, cell renewal, and integrity. This hypothesis suggests that studying numerous, and likely interchangeable, non-specific signals that disrupt regulation controlling intimal cell proliferation is unproductive; instead, a study of the controlling regulation(s) itself should be a priority of our research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir M Subbotin
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA; University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Arrowhead Parmaceuticals, Madison, WI 53719, USA.
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Xu Y, Rong J, Zhang Z. The emerging role of angiotensinogen in cardiovascular diseases. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:68-78. [PMID: 32572956 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensinogen (AGT) is the unique precursor of all angiotensin peptides. Many of the basic understandings of AGT in cardiovascular diseases have come from research efforts to define its effects on blood pressure regulation. The development of novel techniques targeting AGT manipulation such as genetic animal models, adeno-associated viral approaches, and antisense oligonucleotides made it possible to deeply investigate the relationship between AGT and cardiovascular diseases. In this brief review, we provide contemporary insights into the emerging role of AGT in cardiovascular diseases. In light of the recent progress, we emphasize some newly recognized features and mechanisms of AGT in heart failure, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinchuan Xu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiabing Rong
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhaocai Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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