1
|
Hossain L, Gomes KP, Yang X, Liu E, Du Toit J, von der Weid PY, Gibson SB. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C (VEGF-C) Sensitizes Lymphatic Endothelial Cells to Oxidative-Stress-Induced Apoptosis through DNA Damage and Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Implications for Lymphedema. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7828. [PMID: 39063073 PMCID: PMC11277328 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147828] [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: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Secondary lymphedema is caused by damage to the lymphatic system from surgery, cancer treatment, infection, trauma, or obesity. This damage induces stresses such as oxidative stress and hypoxia in lymphatic tissue, impairing the lymphatic system. In response to damage, vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) levels increase to induce lymphangiogenesis. Unfortunately, VEGF-C often fails to repair the lymphatic damage in lymphedema. The underlying mechanism contributing to lymphedema is not well understood. In this study, we found that surgery-induced tail lymphedema in a mouse model increased oxidative damage and cell death over 16 days. This corresponded with increased VEGF-C levels in mouse tail lymphedema tissue associated with macrophage infiltration. Similarly, in the plasma of patients with secondary lymphedema, we found a positive correlation between VEGF-C levels and redox imbalance. To determine the effect of oxidative stress in the presence or absence of VEGF-C, we found that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced cell death in human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells (HDLECs), which was potentiated by VEGF-C. The cell death induced by VEGF-C and H2O2 in HDLECs was accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Antioxidant pre-treatment rescued HDLECs from VEGF-C-induced cell death and decreased ROS under oxidative stress. As expected, VEGF-C increased the number of viable and proliferating HDLECs. However, upon H2O2 treatment, VEGF-C failed to increase either viable or proliferating cells. Since oxidative stress leads to DNA damage, we also determined whether VEGF-C treatment induces DNA damage in HDLECs undergoing oxidative stress. Indeed, DNA damage, detected in the form of gamma H2AX (γH2AX), was increased by VEGF-C under oxidative stress. The potentiation of oxidative stress damage induced by VEFG-C in HDLECs was associated with p53 activation. Finally, the inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) activation blocked VEGF-C-induced cell death following H2O2 treatment. These results indicate that VEGF-C further sensitizes lymphatic endothelial cells to oxidative stress by increasing ROS and DNA damage, potentially compromising lymphangiogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lazina Hossain
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (L.H.); (K.P.G.); (X.Y.); (E.L.); (J.D.T.)
| | - Karina Pereira Gomes
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (L.H.); (K.P.G.); (X.Y.); (E.L.); (J.D.T.)
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (L.H.); (K.P.G.); (X.Y.); (E.L.); (J.D.T.)
| | - Emily Liu
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (L.H.); (K.P.G.); (X.Y.); (E.L.); (J.D.T.)
| | - Jacques Du Toit
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (L.H.); (K.P.G.); (X.Y.); (E.L.); (J.D.T.)
| | - Pierre-Yves von der Weid
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Inflammation Research Network, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
| | - Spencer Bruce Gibson
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (L.H.); (K.P.G.); (X.Y.); (E.L.); (J.D.T.)
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Inflammation Research Network, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cazzola A, Calzón Lozano D, Menne DH, Dávila Pedrera R, Liu J, Peña-Jiménez D, Fontenete S, Halin C, Perez-Moreno M. Lymph Vessels Associate with Cancer Stem Cells from Initiation to Malignant Stages of Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13615. [PMID: 37686421 PMCID: PMC10488284 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713615] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated lymph vessels and lymph node involvement are critical staging criteria in several cancers. In skin squamous cell carcinoma, lymph vessels play a role in cancer development and metastatic spread. However, their relationship with the cancer stem cell niche at early tumor stages remains unclear. To address this gap, we studied the lymph vessel localization at the cancer stem cell niche and observed an association from benign skin lesions to malignant stages of skin squamous cell carcinoma. By co-culturing lymphatic endothelial cells with cancer cell lines representing the initiation and promotion stages, and conducting RNA profiling, we observed a reciprocal induction of cell adhesion, immunity regulation, and vessel remodeling genes, suggesting dynamic interactions between lymphatic and cancer cells. Additionally, imaging analyses of the cultured cells revealed the establishment of heterotypic contacts between cancer cells and lymph endothelial cells, potentially contributing to the observed distribution and maintenance at the cancer stem cell niche, inducing downstream cellular responses. Our data provide evidence for an association of lymph vessels from the early stages of skin squamous cell carcinoma development, opening new avenues for better comprehending their involvement in cancer progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Cazzola
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David Calzón Lozano
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dennis Hirsch Menne
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Raquel Dávila Pedrera
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jingcheng Liu
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel Peña-Jiménez
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio (UAX), Avenida de la Universidad 1, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28691 Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia Fontenete
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cornelia Halin
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Mirna Perez-Moreno
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kang HJ, Moon SY, Kim BK, Myung Y, Lee JH, Jeong JH. Recellularized lymph node scaffolds with human adipose-derived stem cells enhance lymph node regeneration to improve lymphedema. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5397. [PMID: 37012287 PMCID: PMC10070624 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32473-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
To overcome the limitations of lymphedema treatment, human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) were injected into decellularized lymph nodes to produce a recellularized lymph node-scaffold, and the effect of lymphangiogenesis was investigated in lymphedema animal models. Axillary lymph nodes were harvested from Sprague Dawley rats (7 weeks old, 220-250 g) for decellularization. The decellularized lymph nodes were performed and PKH26-labeled hADSCs (1 × 106/50 µL) were injected in the decellularized lymph node-scaffolds. Forty rats were equally divided into four groups: lymphedema as control group, hADSC group, decellularized lymph node-scaffold group, and recellularized lymph node-scaffold group. The lymphedema model was made by removing inguinal lymph nodes, and hADSCs or scaffolds were transplanted. Histopathological assessments were performed by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. Lymphangiogenesis was evaluated by Immunofluorescence staining and western blot. Decellularized lymph nodes showed virtually complete absence of cellular material and maintenance of lymph node architecture. The hADSCs were significantly observed in recellularized lymph node-scaffolds group. The recellularized lymph node-scaffold group was histologically similar to normal lymph nodes. The vascular endothelial growth factor A and lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE-1) in immunofluorescence staining were highly expressed in recellularized lymph node-scaffolds group. Also, the expression of LYVE-1 protein significantly increased in recellularized lymph node-scaffold group compared with others. Recellularized lymph node -scaffold had a much better therapeutic effect than stem cells or decellularized lymph node-scaffold alone, and induced stable lymphangiogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyo Jin Kang
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Honam University, Gwangju, 62399, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Young Moon
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Honam University, Gwangju, 62399, Republic of Korea
| | - Baek-Kyu Kim
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-ro 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13620, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yujin Myung
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-ro 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13620, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Hee Lee
- College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Jeong
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-ro 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13620, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang J, Su Q, Li SC. Qigong Exercise Balances Oxygen Supply and Acid-Base to Modulate Hypoxia: A Perspective Platform toward Preemptive Health & Medicine. Med Sci (Basel) 2023; 11:medsci11010021. [PMID: 36976529 PMCID: PMC10057714 DOI: 10.3390/medsci11010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Qigong is a meditative movement with therapeutic effects and is commonly practiced in Eastern medicine. A growing body of evidence validates its health benefits, leading to mechanistic questions about how it works. We propose a novel mechanism by which the “acid” caused by hypoxia affects metabolism, and the way it is neutralized through Qigong practice involves the body’s blood flow and vasculature modifications. Specifically, Qigong exercise generates an oxygen supply and acid-base balance against the hypoxic effects of underlying pathological conditions. We also propose that Qigong exercise mediated and focused on the local hypoxia environment of tissues might normalize the circulation of metabolic and inflammation accumulation in the tumor tissue and restore the normal metabolism of tissues and cells through calm, relaxation, and extreme Zen-style breathing that gravitates toward preemptive health and medicine. Thus, we propose the mechanisms of action related to Qigong, intending to unify Eastern and Western exercise theory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Zhang
- School of Physical Training and Physical Therapy, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Qingning Su
- Center of Bioengineering, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Shengwen Calvin Li
- Neuro-Oncology and Stem Cell Research Laboratory (NSCL), CHOC Children’s Research Institute (CCRI), Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), 1201 W. La Veta Ave., Orange, CA 92868-3874, USA
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California-Irvine (UCI), 200 S Manchester Ave Ste 206, Orange, CA 92868, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-714-509-4964; Fax: +1-714-509-4318
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mitochondrial Regulation of the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor in the Development of Pulmonary Hypertension. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11175219. [PMID: 36079149 PMCID: PMC9457092 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11175219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe progressive lung disorder characterized by pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling, culminating in right-sided heart failure and increased mortality. Data from animal models and human subjects demonstrated that hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-related signaling is essential in the progression of PH. This review summarizes the regulatory pathways and mechanisms of HIF-mediated signaling, emphasizing the role of mitochondria in HIF regulation and PH pathogenesis. We also try to determine the potential to therapeutically target the components of the HIF system for the management of PH.
Collapse
|