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Eshraghi R, Sadati S, Bahrami A, Mirjalili SR, Farrokhian A, Mahjoubin-Tehran M, Mirzaei H. Unveiling the role of long non-coding RNA MALAT1: a comprehensive review on myocardial infarction. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1429858. [PMID: 39171328 PMCID: PMC11335503 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1429858] [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: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Myocardial infarction (MI) stands at top global causes of death in developed countries, owing mostly to atherosclerotic plaque growth and endothelial injury-induced reduction in coronary blood flow. While early reperfusion techniques have improved outcomes, long-term treatment continues to be difficult. The function of lncRNAs extends to regulating gene expression in various conditions, both physiological and pathological, such as cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this research is to extensively evaluate the significance of the lncRNA called Metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in the development and management of MI. According to research, MALAT1 is implicated in processes such as autophagy, apoptosis, cell proliferation, and inflammation in the cardiovascular system. This investigation examines recent research examining the effects of MALAT1 on heart function and its potential as a mean of diagnosis and treatment for post- MI complications and ischemic reperfusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Eshraghi
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Sina Sadati
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Ashkan Bahrami
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Mirjalili
- Yazd Cardiovascular Research Center, Non-Communicable Diseases Research Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Alireza Farrokhian
- Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Maryam Mahjoubin-Tehran
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
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Walker M, Moore H, Ataya A, Pham A, Corris PA, Laubenbacher R, Bryant AJ. A perfectly imperfect engine: Utilizing the digital twin paradigm in pulmonary hypertension. Pulm Circ 2024; 14:e12392. [PMID: 38933181 PMCID: PMC11199193 DOI: 10.1002/pul2.12392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe medical condition with a number of treatment options, the majority of which are introduced without consideration of the underlying mechanisms driving it within an individual and thus a lack of tailored approach to treatment. The one exception is a patient presenting with apparent pulmonary arterial hypertension and shown to have vaso-responsive disease, whose clinical course and prognosis is significantly improved by high dose calcium channel blockers. PH is however characterized by a relative abundance of available data from patient cohorts, ranging from molecular data characterizing gene and protein expression in different tissues to physiological data at the organ level and clinical information. Integrating available data with mechanistic information at the different scales into computational models suggests an approach to a more personalized treatment of the disease using model-based optimization of interventions for individual patients. That is, constructing digital twins of the disease, customized to a patient, promises to be a key technology for personalized medicine, with the aim of optimizing use of existing treatments and developing novel interventions, such as new drugs. This article presents a perspective on this approach in the context of a review of existing computational models for different aspects of the disease, and it lays out a roadmap for a path to realizing it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody Walker
- University of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Helen Moore
- University of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Ali Ataya
- University of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Ann Pham
- University of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Paul A. Corris
- The Faculty of Medical Sciences Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
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3
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Oliveira RHDM, Annex BH, Popel AS. Endothelial cells signaling and patterning under hypoxia: a mechanistic integrative computational model including the Notch-Dll4 pathway. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1351753. [PMID: 38455844 PMCID: PMC10917925 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1351753] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Several signaling pathways are activated during hypoxia to promote angiogenesis, leading to endothelial cell patterning, interaction, and downstream signaling. Understanding the mechanistic signaling differences between endothelial cells under normoxia and hypoxia and their response to different stimuli can guide therapies to modulate angiogenesis. We present a novel mechanistic model of interacting endothelial cells, including the main pathways involved in angiogenesis. Methods: We calibrate and fit the model parameters based on well-established modeling techniques that include structural and practical parameter identifiability, uncertainty quantification, and global sensitivity. Results: Our results indicate that the main pathways involved in patterning tip and stalk endothelial cells under hypoxia differ, and the time under hypoxia interferes with how different stimuli affect patterning. Additionally, our simulations indicate that Notch signaling might regulate vascular permeability and establish different Nitric Oxide release patterns for tip/stalk cells. Following simulations with various stimuli, our model suggests that factors such as time under hypoxia and oxygen availability must be considered for EC pattern control. Discussion: This project provides insights into the signaling and patterning of endothelial cells under various oxygen levels and stimulation by VEGFA and is our first integrative approach toward achieving EC control as a method for improving angiogenesis. Overall, our model provides a computational framework that can be built on to test angiogenesis-related therapies by modulation of different pathways, such as the Notch pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian H. Annex
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Aleksander S. Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Liu Y, Wu H, Sang Y, Chong W, Shang L, Li L. Research progress of exosomes in the angiogenesis of digestive system tumour. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:33. [PMID: 38341827 PMCID: PMC10859358 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-00879-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Malignant tumours of the digestive system cover a wide range of diseases that affect the health of people to a large extent. Angiogenesis is indispensable in the development, and metastasis of tumours, mainly in two ways: occupation or formation. Vessels can provide nutrients, oxygen, and growth factors for tumours to encourage growth and metastasis, so cancer progression depends on simultaneous angiogenesis. Recently, exosomes have been proven to participate in the angiogenesis of tumours. They influence angiogenesis by binding to tyrosine kinase receptors (VEGFR)-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 with different affinities, regulating Yap-VEGF pathway, Akt pathway or other signaling pathway. Additionally, exosomes are potential therapeutic vectors that can deliver many types of cargoes to different cells. In this review, we summarize the roles of exosomes in the angiogenesis of digestive system tumours and highlight the clinical application prospects, directly used as targers or delivery vehicles, in antiangiogenic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Engineering of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, 250021, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yaodong Sang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Engineering of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, 250021, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Wei Chong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Engineering of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, 250021, China.
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, China.
| | - Liang Shang
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Engineering of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, 250021, China.
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, China.
| | - Leping Li
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Engineering of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, 250021, China.
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, China.
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Patidar K, Versypt ANF. Logic-Based Modeling of Inflammatory Macrophage Crosstalk with Glomerular Endothelial Cells in Diabetic Kidney Disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.04.535594. [PMID: 37066138 PMCID: PMC10104015 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.04.535594] [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
Diabetic kidney disease is a complication in 1 out of 3 patients with diabetes. Aberrant glucose metabolism in diabetes leads to an immune response causing inflammation and to structural and functional damage in the glomerular cells of the kidney. Complex cellular signaling lies at the core of metabolic and functional derangement. Unfortunately, the mechanism underlying the role of inflammation in glomerular endothelial cell dysfunction during diabetic kidney disease is not fully understood. Computational models in systems biology allow the integration of experimental evidence and cellular signaling networks to understand mechanisms involved in disease progression. We built a logic-based ordinary differential equations model to study macrophage-dependent inflammation in glomerular endothelial cells during diabetic kidney disease progression. We studied the crosstalk between macrophages and glomerular endothelial cells in the kidney using a protein signaling network stimulated with glucose and lipopolysaccharide. The network and model were built using the open-source software package Netflux. This modeling approach overcomes the complexity of studying network models and the need for extensive mechanistic details. The model simulations were fitted and validated against available biochemical data from in vitro experiments. The model identified mechanisms responsible for dysregulated signaling in macrophages and glomerular endothelial cells during diabetic kidney disease. In addition, we investigated the influence of signaling interactions and species that on glomerular endothelial cell morphology through selective knockdown and downregulation. We found that partial knockdown of VEGF receptor 1, PLC-γ, adherens junction proteins, and calcium partially recovered the endothelial cell fenestration size. Our model findings contribute to understanding signaling and molecular perturbations that affect the glomerular endothelial cells in the early stage of diabetic kidney disease.
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Rosen RS, Yang JH, Peña JS, Schloss R, Yarmush ML. An in vitro model of the macrophage-endothelial interface to characterize CAR T-cell induced cytokine storm. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18835. [PMID: 37914765 PMCID: PMC10620221 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46114-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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a highly effective treatment for B-cell malignancies but limited in use due to clinically significant hyperinflammatory toxicities. Understanding the pathophysiologic mechanisms which mediate these toxicities can help identify novel management strategies. Here we report a novel in vitro model of the macrophage-endothelial interface to study the effects of CAR T-cell-induced cytokine storm. Using this model, we demonstrate that macrophage-mediated inflammation is regulated by endothelial cell activity. Furthermore, endothelial inflammation occurs independently of macrophages following exposure to CAR T-cell products and the induced endothelial inflammation potentiates macrophage-mediated inflammatory signaling, leading to a hyperinflammatory environment. While corticosteroids, the current gold standard of care, attenuate the resulting macrophage inflammatory signaling, the endothelial activity remains refractory to this treatment strategy. Utilizing a network model, coupled to in vitro secretion profiling, we identified STAT3 programming as critical in regulating this endothelial behavior. Lastly, we demonstrate how targeting STAT3 activity can abrogate endothelial inflammation and attenuate this otherwise hyperinflammatory environment. Our results demonstrate that endothelial cells play a central role in the pathophysiology of CAR T-cell toxicities and targeting the mechanisms driving the endothelial response can guide future clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert S Rosen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Jason H Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Pathogens, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Juan S Peña
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Rene Schloss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
| | - Martin L Yarmush
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Letafati A, Mozhgani SH, Marjani A, Amiri A, Siami Z, Mohammaditabar M, Molaverdi G, Hedayatyaghoobi M. Decoding dysregulated angiogenesis in HTLV-1 asymptomatic carriers compared to healthy individuals. Med Oncol 2023; 40:317. [PMID: 37792095 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02177-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the first identified human retrovirus responsible for two significant diseases: HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Although the majority of infected individuals remain asymptomatic carriers, a small percentage may develop ATLL or HAM/TSP. In tumorigenesis, a crucial process is angiogenesis, which involves the formation of new blood vessels. However, the precise mechanism of HTLV-1 associated angiogenesis remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the gene regulation involved in the angiogenesis signaling pathway associated with HTLV-1 infection. The research enrolled 20 male participants, including asymptomatic carriers and healthy individuals. Blood samples were collected and screened using ELISA for HTLV-1 confirmation, and PCR was performed for both Tax and HBZ for validation. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were carried out, followed by RT-qPCR analysis targeting cellular genes involved in angiogenesis. Our findings indicate that gene expression related to angiogenesis was elevated in HTLV-1 ACs patients. However, the differences in gene expression of the analyzed genes, including HSP27, Paxillin, PDK1, PTEN, RAF1, SOS1, and VEGFR2 between ACs and healthy individuals were not statistically significant. This suggests that although angiogenesis-related genes may show increased expression in HTLV-1 infection, they might not be robust indicators of ATLL progression in asymptomatic carriers. The results of our study demonstrate that angiogenesis gene expression is altered in ACs of HTLV-1, indicating potential involvement of angiogenesis in the early stages before ATLL development. While we observed elevated angiogenesis gene expression in ACs, the lack of statistical significance between ACs and healthy individuals suggests that these gene markers may not be sufficient on their own to predict the development of ATLL in asymptomatic carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Letafati
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Clinical Virology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sayed-Hamidreza Mozhgani
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
| | - Arezoo Marjani
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdollah Amiri
- Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Zeinab Siami
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | | | - Ghazale Molaverdi
- Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Hedayatyaghoobi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
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Georgieva I, Tchekalarova J, Iliev D, Tzoneva R. Endothelial Senescence and Its Impact on Angiogenesis in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11344. [PMID: 37511104 PMCID: PMC10379128 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells are constantly exposed to environmental stress factors that, above a certain threshold, trigger cellular senescence and apoptosis. The altered vascular function affects new vessel formation and endothelial fitness, contributing to the progression of age-related diseases. This narrative review highlights the complex interplay between senescence, oxidative stress, extracellular vesicles, and the extracellular matrix and emphasizes the crucial role of angiogenesis in aging and Alzheimer's disease. The interaction between the vascular and nervous systems is essential for the development of a healthy brain, especially since neurons are exceptionally dependent on nutrients carried by the blood. Therefore, anomalies in the delicate balance between pro- and antiangiogenic factors and the consequences of disrupted angiogenesis, such as misalignment, vascular leakage and disturbed blood flow, are responsible for neurodegeneration. The implications of altered non-productive angiogenesis in Alzheimer's disease due to dysregulated Delta-Notch and VEGF signaling are further explored. Additionally, potential therapeutic strategies such as exercise and caloric restriction to modulate angiogenesis and vascular aging and to mitigate the associated debilitating symptoms are discussed. Moreover, both the roles of extracellular vesicles in stress-induced senescence and as an early detection marker for Alzheimer's disease are considered. The intricate relationship between endothelial senescence and angiogenesis provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying angiogenesis-related disorders and opens avenues for future research and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Georgieva
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. George Bonchev, Str. Bl. 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Jana Tchekalarova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. George Bonchev, Str. Bl. 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Dimitar Iliev
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. George Bonchev, Str. Bl. 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Rumiana Tzoneva
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. George Bonchev, Str. Bl. 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
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Guo GX, Wu KY, Zhang XY, Lai FX, Tsim KWK, Qin QW, Hu WH. The extract of Curcumae Longae Rhizoma suppresses angiogenesis via VEGF-induced PI3K/Akt-eNOS-NO pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 308:116299. [PMID: 36842721 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Curcumae Longae Rhizoma (CLR) is a safe natural herbal medicine, and which has been widely used for centuries as functional food and health products, but its effects on angiogenesis and related underlying mechanism remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY The abnormal angiogenesis is closely related with various diseases, and therefore the precise control of angiogenesis is of great importance. The well-known angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), mediates angiogenesis and induces multiple signalling pathways via binding to VEGF receptor (VEGFR). The attenuation of VEGF-triggered angiogenic-related signalling pathways may relieve various diseases through suppression of angiogenesis. Here, we aimed to elucidate that CLR extract could exert striking anti-angiogenic activities both in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS The viability of human umbilical vascular endothelial cell (HUVEC) was examined by LDH and MTT assays. Migrative and invasive ability of the endothelial cells were independently evaluated by wound healing and transwell assays. The activities of CLR extract on in vitro angiogenesis was tested by tube formation assay. In vivo vascularization was determined by using zebrafish embryo model in the present of CLR extract. Western blotting was applied to determine the phosphorylated levels of VEGFR2, PI3K, AKT and eNOS. Besides, the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were separately evaluated by Griess assay and 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate reaction. In addition, the cell migrative ability of cancer cell was estimated by using cultured human colon carcinoma cells (HT-29 cell line), and immunofluorescence assay was applied to evaluate the effect of CLR extract on nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit in the VEGF-treated HT-29 cultures. RESULTS CLR extract significantly suppressed a series of VEGF-mediated angiogenic responses, including endothelial cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation. Moreover, CLR extract reduced in vivo sub-intestinal vessel formation in zebrafish embryo model. Mechanistically, the extract of CLR attenuated the VEGF-triggered signalling, as demonstrated by decreased level of phosphorylated VEGFR2 and subsequently inactivated its downstream regulators, e.g. phospho-PI3K, phospho-AKT and phospho-eNOS. The production of NO and formation of ROS were markedly inhibited in HUVECs. Furthermore, CLR extract suppressed cell migration and NF-κB translocation in cultured HT-29 cells. CONCLUSIONS These preclinical findings demonstrate that the extract of CLR remarkably attenuates angiogenesis and which has great potential as a natural drug candidate with excellent anti-angiogenic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Xia Guo
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
| | - Ke-Yue Wu
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
| | - Xiao-Yong Zhang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Fu-Xiang Lai
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
| | - Karl Wah-Keung Tsim
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, Guangzhou, China; Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Qi-Wei Qin
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Wei-Hui Hu
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, Guangzhou, China.
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10
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Zhang Y, Popel AS, Bazzazi H. Combining Multikinase Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Targeting the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Cluster of Differentiation 47 Signaling Pathways Is Predicted to Increase the Efficacy of Antiangiogenic Combination Therapies. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:710-726. [PMID: 37200806 PMCID: PMC10186363 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a critical step in tumor growth, development, and invasion. Nascent tumor cells secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that significantly remodels the tumor microenvironment through interaction with multiple receptors on vascular endothelial cells, including type 2 VEGF receptor (VEGFR2). The complex pathways initiated by VEGF binding to VEGFR2 lead to enhanced proliferation, survival, and motility of vascular endothelial cells and formation of a new vascular network, enabling tumor growth. Antiangiogenic therapies that inhibit VEGF signaling pathways were among the first drugs that targeted stroma rather than tumor cells. Despite improvements in progression-free survival and higher response rates relative to chemotherapy in some types of solid tumors, the impact on overall survival (OS) has been limited, with the majority of tumors eventually relapsing due to resistance or activation of alternate angiogenic pathways. Here, we developed a molecularly detailed computational model of endothelial cell signaling and angiogenesis-driven tumor growth to investigate combination therapies targeting different nodes of the endothelial VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway. Simulations predicted a strong threshold-like behavior in extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation relative to phosphorylated VEGFR2 levels, as continuous inhibition of at least 95% of receptors was necessary to abrogate phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2). Combinations with mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase (MEK) and spingosine-1-phosphate inhibitors were found to be effective in overcoming the ERK1/2 activation threshold and abolishing activation of the pathway. Modeling results also identified a mechanism of resistance whereby tumor cells could reduce pERK1/2 sensitivity to inhibitors of VEGFR2 by upregulation of Raf, MEK, and sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), thus highlighting the need for deeper investigation of the dynamics of the crosstalk between VEGFR2 and SphK1 pathways. Inhibition of VEGFR2 phosphorylation was found to be more effective at blocking protein kinase B, also known as AKT, activation; however, to effectively abolish AKT activation, simulations identified Axl autophosphorylation or the Src kinase domain as potent targets. Simulations also supported activating cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47) on endothelial cells as an effective combination partner with tyrosine kinase inhibitors to inhibit angiogenesis signaling and tumor growth. Virtual patient simulations supported the effectiveness of CD47 agonism in combination with inhibitors of VEGFR2 and SphK1 pathways. Overall, the rule-based system model developed here provides new insights, generates novel hypothesis, and makes predictions regarding combinations that may enhance the OS with currently approved antiangiogenic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Aleksander S. Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Hojjat Bazzazi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
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11
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Oliveira RHM, Annex BH, Popel AS. Endothelial cells signaling and patterning under hypoxia: a mechanistic integrative computational model including the Notch-Dll4 pathway. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.03.539270. [PMID: 37205581 PMCID: PMC10187169 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.03.539270] [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
Several signaling pathways are activated during hypoxia to promote angiogenesis, leading to endothelial cell patterning, interaction, and downstream signaling. Understanding the mechanistic signaling differences between normoxia and hypoxia can guide therapies to modulate angiogenesis. We present a novel mechanistic model of interacting endothelial cells, including the main pathways involved in angiogenesis. We calibrate and fit the model parameters based on well-established modeling techniques. Our results indicate that the main pathways involved in the patterning of tip and stalk endothelial cells under hypoxia differ, and the time under hypoxia affects how a reaction affects patterning. Interestingly, the interaction of receptors with Neuropilin1 is also relevant for cell patterning. Our simulations under different oxygen concentrations indicate time- and oxygen-availability-dependent responses for the two cells. Following simulations with various stimuli, our model suggests that factors such as period under hypoxia and oxygen availability must be considered for pattern control. This project provides insights into the signaling and patterning of endothelial cells under hypoxia, contributing to studies in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Hannah M Oliveira
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
| | - Brian H Annex
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
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12
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Jain P, Rauer SB, Möller M, Singh S. Mimicking the Natural Basement Membrane for Advanced Tissue Engineering. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:3081-3103. [PMID: 35839343 PMCID: PMC9364315 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
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Advancements in the field of tissue engineering have
led to the
elucidation of physical and chemical characteristics of physiological
basement membranes (BM) as specialized forms of the extracellular
matrix. Efforts to recapitulate the intricate structure and biological
composition of the BM have encountered various advancements due to
its impact on cell fate, function, and regulation. More attention
has been paid to synthesizing biocompatible and biofunctional fibrillar
scaffolds that closely mimic the natural BM. Specific modifications
in biomimetic BM have paved the way for the development of in vitro models like alveolar-capillary barrier, airway
models, skin, blood-brain barrier, kidney barrier, and metastatic
models, which can be used for personalized drug screening, understanding
physiological and pathological pathways, and tissue implants. In this
Review, we focus on the structure, composition, and functions of in vivo BM and the ongoing efforts to mimic it synthetically.
Light has been shed on the advantages and limitations of various forms
of biomimetic BM scaffolds including porous polymeric membranes, hydrogels,
and electrospun membranes This Review further elaborates and justifies
the significance of BM mimics in tissue engineering, in particular
in the development of in vitro organ model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puja Jain
- DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | | | - Martin Möller
- DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Smriti Singh
- Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg 69028, Germany
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13
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Li J, Zhao Y, Zhu W. Targeting angiogenesis in myocardial infarction: Novel therapeutics (Review). Exp Ther Med 2022; 23:64. [PMID: 34934435 PMCID: PMC8649855 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains the main cause of mortality worldwide. Despite surgery and medical treatment, the non-regeneration of dead cardiomyocytes and the limited contractile ability of scar tissue can lead to heart failure. Therefore, restoring blood flow in the infarcted area is important for the repair of myocardial injury. The objective of the present review was to summarize the factors influencing angiogenesis after AMI, and to describe the application of angiogenesis for cardiac repair. Collectively, this review may be helpful for relevant studies and to provide insight into future therapeutic applications in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiejie Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory of Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory of Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory of Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
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14
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Münzner U, Mori T, Krantz M, Klipp E, Akutsu T. Identification of periodic attractors in Boolean networks using a priori information. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1009702. [PMID: 35030172 PMCID: PMC8803189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Boolean networks (BNs) have been developed to describe various biological processes, which requires analysis of attractors, the long-term stable states. While many methods have been proposed to detection and enumeration of attractors, there are no methods which have been demonstrated to be theoretically better than the naive method and be practically used for large biological BNs. Here, we present a novel method to calculate attractors based on a priori information, which works much and verifiably faster than the naive method. We apply the method to two BNs which differ in size, modeling formalism, and biological scope. Despite these differences, the method presented here provides a powerful tool for the analysis of both networks. First, our analysis of a BN studying the effect of the microenvironment during angiogenesis shows that the previously defined microenvironments inducing the specialized phalanx behavior in endothelial cells (ECs) additionally induce stalk behavior. We obtain this result from an extended network version which was previously not analyzed. Second, we were able to heuristically detect attractors in a cell cycle control network formalized as a bipartite Boolean model (bBM) with 3158 nodes. These attractors are directly interpretable in terms of genotype-to-phenotype relationships, allowing network validation equivalent to an in silico mutagenesis screen. Our approach contributes to the development of scalable analysis methods required for whole-cell modeling efforts. Systems biology requires not only scalable formalization methods, but also means to analyze complex networks. Although Boolean networks (BNs) are a convenient way to formalize biological processes, their analysis suffers from the combinatorial complexity with increasing number of nodes n. Hence, the long standing O(2n) barrier for detection of periodic attractors in BNs has obstructed the development of large, biological BNs. We break this barrier by introducing a novel algorithm using a priori information. We show that the proposed algorithm enables systematic analysis of BNs formulated as bipartite models in the form of in silico mutagenesis screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Münzner
- Institute for Protein Research, Laboratory of Cell Systems, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Institute for Chemical Research, Bioinformatics Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoya Mori
- Institute for Chemical Research, Bioinformatics Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Marcus Krantz
- Institute of Biology, Theoretical Biophysics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Edda Klipp
- Institute of Biology, Theoretical Biophysics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tatsuya Akutsu
- Institute for Chemical Research, Bioinformatics Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
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15
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Zhang Y, Wang H, Oliveira RHM, Zhao C, Popel AS. Systems biology of angiogenesis signaling: Computational models and omics. WIREs Mech Dis 2021; 14:e1550. [PMID: 34970866 PMCID: PMC9243197 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a highly regulated multiscale process that involves a plethora of cells, their cellular signal transduction, activation, proliferation, differentiation, as well as their intercellular communication. The coordinated execution and integration of such complex signaling programs is critical for physiological angiogenesis to take place in normal growth, development, exercise, and wound healing, while its dysregulation is critically linked to many major human diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and ocular disorders; it is also crucial in regenerative medicine. Although huge efforts have been devoted to drug development for these diseases by investigation of angiogenesis‐targeted therapies, only a few therapeutics and targets have proved effective in humans due to the innate multiscale complexity and nonlinearity in the process of angiogenic signaling. As a promising approach that can help better address this challenge, systems biology modeling allows the integration of knowledge across studies and scales and provides a powerful means to mechanistically elucidate and connect the individual molecular and cellular signaling components that function in concert to regulate angiogenesis. In this review, we summarize and discuss how systems biology modeling studies, at the pathway‐, cell‐, tissue‐, and whole body‐levels, have advanced our understanding of signaling in angiogenesis and thereby delivered new translational insights for human diseases. This article is categorized under:Cardiovascular Diseases > Computational Models Cancer > Computational Models
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hanwen Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rebeca Hannah M Oliveira
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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16
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Song M, Finley SD. Mechanistic characterization of endothelial sprouting mediated by pro-angiogenic signaling. Microcirculation 2021; 29:e12744. [PMID: 34890488 PMCID: PMC9285777 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12744] [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: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective We aim to quantitatively characterize the crosstalk between VEGF‐ and FGF‐mediated angiogenic signaling and endothelial sprouting, to gain mechanistic insights and identify novel therapeutic strategies. Methods We constructed an experimentally validated hybrid agent‐based mathematical model that characterizes endothelial sprouting driven by FGF‐ and VEGF‐mediated signaling. We predicted the total sprout length, number of sprouts, and average length by the mono‐ and co‐stimulation of FGF and VEGF. Results The experimentally fitted and validated model predicts that FGF induces stronger angiogenic responses in the long‐term compared with VEGF stimulation. Also, FGF plays a dominant role in the combination effects in endothelial sprouting. Moreover, the model suggests that ERK and Akt pathways and cellular responses contribute differently to the sprouting process. Last, the model predicts that the strategies to modulate endothelial sprouting are context‐dependent, and our model can identify potential effective pro‐ and anti‐angiogenic targets under different conditions and study their efficacy. Conclusions The model provides detailed mechanistic insight into VEGF and FGF interactions in sprouting angiogenesis. More broadly, this model can be utilized to identify targets that influence angiogenic signaling leading to endothelial sprouting and to study the effects of pro‐ and anti‐angiogenic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Stacey D Finley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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17
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Olejarz W, Kubiak-Tomaszewska G, Chrzanowska A, Lorenc T. Exosomes in Angiogenesis and Anti-angiogenic Therapy in Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165840. [PMID: 32823989 PMCID: PMC7461570 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is the process through which new blood vessels are formed from pre-existing ones. Exosomes are involved in angiogenesis in cancer progression by transporting numerous pro-angiogenic biomolecules like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and microRNAs. Exosomes promote angiogenesis by suppressing expression of factor-inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). Uptake of tumor-derived exosomes (TEX) by normal endothelial cells activates angiogenic signaling pathways in endothelial cells and stimulates new vessel formation. TEX-driven cross-talk of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with immune cells blocks their anti-tumor activity. Effective inhibition of tumor angiogenesis may arrest tumor progression. Bevacizumab, a VEGF-specific antibody, was the first antiangiogenic agent to enter the clinic. The most important clinical problem associated with cancer therapy using VEGF- or VEFGR-targeting agents is drug resistance. Combined strategies based on angiogenesis inhibitors and immunotherapy effectively enhances therapies in various cancers, but effective treatment requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wioletta Olejarz
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (W.O.); (G.K.-T.)
- Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grażyna Kubiak-Tomaszewska
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (W.O.); (G.K.-T.)
- Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alicja Chrzanowska
- Chair and Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Tomasz Lorenc
- 1st Department of Clinical Radiology, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Chałubińskiego 5, 02-004 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-502-1073
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18
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Bocci F, Onuchic JN, Jolly MK. Understanding the Principles of Pattern Formation Driven by Notch Signaling by Integrating Experiments and Theoretical Models. Front Physiol 2020; 11:929. [PMID: 32848867 PMCID: PMC7411240 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling is an evolutionary conserved cell-cell communication pathway. Besides regulating cell-fate decisions at an individual cell level, Notch signaling coordinates the emergent spatiotemporal patterning in a tissue through ligand-receptor interactions among transmembrane molecules of neighboring cells, as seen in embryonic development, angiogenesis, or wound healing. Due to its ubiquitous nature, Notch signaling is also implicated in several aspects of cancer progression, including tumor angiogenesis, stemness of cancer cells and cellular invasion. Here, we review experimental and computational models that help understand the operating principles of cell patterning driven by Notch signaling. First, we discuss the basic mechanisms of spatial patterning via canonical lateral inhibition and lateral induction mechanisms, including examples from angiogenesis, inner ear development and cancer metastasis. Next, we analyze additional layers of complexity in the Notch pathway, including the effect of varying cell sizes and shapes, ligand-receptor binding within the same cell, variable binding affinity of different ligand/receptor subtypes, and filopodia. Finally, we discuss some recent evidence of mechanosensitivity in the Notch pathway in driving collective epithelial cell migration and cardiovascular morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Bocci
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - José Nelson Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
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19
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Weinstein N, Mendoza L, Álvarez-Buylla ER. A Computational Model of the Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition. Front Genet 2020; 11:40. [PMID: 32226439 PMCID: PMC7080988 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) form the lining of lymph and blood vessels. Changes in tissue requirements or wounds may cause ECs to behave as tip or stalk cells. Alternatively, they may differentiate into mesenchymal cells (MCs). These processes are known as EC activation and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), respectively. EndMT, Tip, and Stalk EC behaviors all require SNAI1, SNAI2, and Matrix metallopeptidase (MMP) function. However, only EndMT inhibits the expression of VE-cadherin, PECAM1, and VEGFR2, and also leads to EC detachment. Physiologically, EndMT is involved in heart valve development, while a defective EndMT regulation is involved in the physiopathology of cardiovascular malformations, congenital heart disease, systemic and organ fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Therefore, the control of EndMT has many promising potential applications in regenerative medicine. Despite the fact that many molecular components involved in EC activation and EndMT have been characterized, the system-level molecular mechanisms involved in this process have not been elucidated. Toward this end, hereby we present Boolean network model of the molecular involved in the regulation of EC activation and EndMT. The simulated dynamic behavior of our model reaches fixed and cyclic patterns of activation that correspond to the expected EC and MC cell types and behaviors, recovering most of the specific effects of simple gain and loss-of-function mutations as well as the conditions associated with the progression of several diseases. Therefore, our model constitutes a theoretical framework that can be used to generate hypotheses and guide experimental inquiry to comprehend the regulatory mechanisms behind EndMT. Our main findings include that both the extracellular microevironment and the pattern of molecular activity within the cell regulate EndMT. EndMT requires a lack of VEGFA and sufficient oxygen in the extracellular microenvironment as well as no FLI1 and GATA2 activity within the cell. Additionally Tip cells cannot undergo EndMT directly. Furthermore, the specific conditions that are sufficient to trigger EndMT depend on the specific pattern of molecular activation within the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Weinstein
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis Mendoza
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Elena R Álvarez-Buylla
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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20
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Wang B, Chen S, Zhao JQ, Xiang BL, Gu X, Zou F, Zhang ZH. ADAMTS-1 inhibits angiogenesis via the PI3K/Akt-eNOS-VEGF pathway in lung cancer cells. Transl Cancer Res 2019; 8:2725-2735. [PMID: 35117030 PMCID: PMC8798392 DOI: 10.21037/tcr.2019.10.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND ADAMTS-1 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin repeats-1) is a recently characterized protein containing a metalloproteinase domain, a disintegrin-like domain and a thrombospondin type 1 motif, which is involved in angiogenesis. However, the roles of ADAMTS-1 in angiogenesis of lung cancer (LC) remain unclear. METHODS The mRNA expression of ADAMTS-1 and VEGF was examined by qRT-PCR. Western blots were used to detect the protein expression of ADAMTS-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in A549 cells and to analyse the cellular effect of a PI3K/Akt activator and an endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activator. ADAMTS-1 and VEGF contents in cell culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. Cell viability, cell cycle, migration, and angiogenesis of HUVECs were evaluated by MTT assay, flow cytometry, scratch assay and tube formation assay, respectively. RESULTS Our data revealed that the expression of ADAMTS-1 was downregulated, while the expression of VEGF was upregulated in A549 cells. Decreased ADAMTS-1 content was also detected in A549 cell culture supernatant. Overexpression of ADAMTS-1 inhibited VEGF expression and A549 cell proliferation. Moreover, ADAMTS-1 overexpression repressed proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs. Mechanistically, ADAMTS-1 suppressed the expression of VEGF in HUVECs by inhibiting PI3K/Akt-eNOS, while a PI3K activator and an eNOS activator each partly reversed the expression of VEGF. In addition, activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway or VEGF overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of ADAMTS-1 overexpression on HUVECs angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS These results indicated that ADAMTS-1 inhibited angiogenesis of LC cells via regulation of the PI3K/Akt-eNOS/VEGF axis, which shed light on LC pathogenesis and provided potential targets for LC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bu Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
| | - Shuo Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Hospital of 81st Group Army PLA, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
| | - Jian-Qing Zhao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
| | - Bao-Li Xiang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
| | - Xin Gu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
| | - Fang Zou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou 075000, China
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21
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Easterling MR, Engbrecht KM, Crespi EJ. Endocrine Regulation of Epimorphic Regeneration. Endocrinology 2019; 160:2969-2980. [PMID: 31593236 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Studies aiming to uncover primary mechanisms of regeneration have predominantly focused on genetic pathways regulating specific stages in the regeneration process: wound healing, blastema formation, and pattern formation. However, studies across organisms show that environmental conditions and the physiological state of the animal can affect the rate or quality of regeneration, and endocrine signals are likely the mediators of these effects. Endocrine signals acting directly on receptors expressed in the tissue or via neuroendocrine pathways can affect regeneration by regulating the immune response to injury, allocation of energetic resources, or by enhancing or inhibiting proliferation and differentiation pathways involved in regeneration. This review discusses the cumulative knowledge in the literature about endocrine regulation of regeneration and its importance in future research to advance biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marietta R Easterling
- School of Biological Sciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Kristin M Engbrecht
- School of Biological Sciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington
| | - Erica J Crespi
- School of Biological Sciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
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22
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Easterling MR, Engbrecht KM, Crespi EJ. Endocrine regulation of regeneration: Linking global signals to local processes. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 283:113220. [PMID: 31310748 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Regeneration in amphibians and reptiles has been explored since the early 18th century, giving us a working in vivo model to study epimorphic regeneration in vertebrates. Studies aiming to uncover primary mechanisms of regeneration have predominantly focused on genetic pathways regulating specific stages of the regeneration process: wound healing, blastema formation and growth, and pattern formation. However, studies across organisms show that environmental conditions and physiological state of the animal can affect the rate or quality of regeneration, and endocrine signals are likely the mediators of these effects. Endocrine signals working/acting directly on receptors expressed in the structure or via neuroendocrine pathways can affect regeneration by modulating immune response to injury, allocation of energetic resources, or by enhancing or inhibiting proliferation and differentiation pathways in regenerating tissue. This review discusses the cumulative knowledge known about endocrine regulation of regeneration and important future research directions of interest to both ecological and biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marietta R Easterling
- Washington State University, School of Biological Sciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Pullman, WA 99164, United States.
| | - Kristin M Engbrecht
- Washington State University, School of Biological Sciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Pullman, WA 99164, United States; Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, United States
| | - Erica J Crespi
- Washington State University, School of Biological Sciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Pullman, WA 99164, United States
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23
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Yao J, Wu X, Zhang D, Wang L, Zhang L, Reynolds EX, Hernandez C, Boström KI, Yao Y. Elevated endothelial Sox2 causes lumen disruption and cerebral arteriovenous malformations. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:3121-3133. [PMID: 31232700 DOI: 10.1172/jci125965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lumen integrity in vascularization requires fully differentiated endothelial cells (ECs). Here, we report that endothelial-mesenchymal transitions (EndMTs) emerged in ECs of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVMs) and caused disruption of the lumen or lumen disorder. We show that excessive Sry-box 2 (Sox2) signaling was responsible for the EndMTs in cerebral AVMs. EC-specific suppression of Sox2 normalized endothelial differentiation and lumen formation and improved the cerebral AVMs. Epigenetic studies showed that induction of Sox2 altered the cerebral-endothelial transcriptional landscape and identified jumonji domain-containing protein 5 (JMJD5) as a direct target of Sox2. Sox2 interacted with JMJD5 to induce EndMTs in cerebral ECs. Furthermore, we utilized a high-throughput system to identify the β-adrenergic antagonist pronethalol as an inhibitor of Sox2 expression. Treatment with pronethalol stabilized endothelial differentiation and lumen formation, which limited the cerebral AVMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Yao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xiuju Wu
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Daoqin Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Lumin Wang
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Eric X Reynolds
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Carlos Hernandez
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kristina I Boström
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA.,The Molecular Biology Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yucheng Yao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
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24
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Chen W, Xia P, Wang H, Tu J, Liang X, Zhang X, Li L. The endothelial tip-stalk cell selection and shuffling during angiogenesis. J Cell Commun Signal 2019; 13:291-301. [PMID: 30903604 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-019-00511-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a critical, fine-tuned, multi-staged biological process. Tip-stalk cell selection and shuffling are the building blocks of sprouting angiogenesis. Accumulated evidences show that tip-stalk cell selection and shuffling are regulated by a variety of physical, chemical and biological factors, especially the interaction among multiple genes, their products and environments. The classic Notch-VEGFR, Slit-Robo, ECM-binding integrin, semaphorin and CCN family play important roles in tip-stalk cell selection and shuffling. In this review, we outline the progress and prospect in the mechanism and the roles of the various molecules and related signaling pathways in endothelial tip-stalk cell selection and shuffling. In the future, the regulators of tip-stalk cell selection and shuffling would be the potential markers and targets for angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqi Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Peng Xia
- Department of Anesthesia, Jilin Provincial People's Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Heping Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical School, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jihao Tu
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xinyue Liang
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China. .,Institute of Immunology, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Lisha Li
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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25
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Béal J, Montagud A, Traynard P, Barillot E, Calzone L. Personalization of Logical Models With Multi-Omics Data Allows Clinical Stratification of Patients. Front Physiol 2019; 9:1965. [PMID: 30733688 PMCID: PMC6353844 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Logical models of cancer pathways are typically built by mining the literature for relevant experimental observations. They are usually generic as they apply for large cohorts of individuals. As a consequence, they generally do not capture the heterogeneity of patient tumors and their therapeutic responses. We present here a novel framework, referred to as PROFILE, to tailor logical models to a particular biological sample such as a patient tumor. This methodology permits to compare the model simulations to individual clinical data, i.e., survival time. Our approach focuses on integrating mutation data, copy number alterations (CNA), and expression data (transcriptomics or proteomics) to logical models. These data need first to be either binarized or set between 0 and 1, and can then be incorporated in the logical model by modifying the activity of the node, the initial conditions or the state transition rates. The use of MaBoSS, a tool based on Monte-Carlo kinetic algorithm to perform stochastic simulations on logical models results in model state probabilities, and allows for a semi-quantitative study of the model phenotypes and perturbations. As a proof of concept, we use a published generic model of cancer signaling pathways and molecular data from METABRIC breast cancer patients. For this example, we test several combinations of data incorporation and discuss that, with these data, the most comprehensive patient-specific cancer models are obtained by modifying the nodes' activity of the model with mutations, in combination or not with CNA data, and altering the transition rates with RNA expression. We conclude that these model simulations show good correlation with clinical data such as patients' Nottingham prognostic index (NPI) subgrouping and survival time. We observe that two highly relevant cancer phenotypes derived from personalized models, Proliferation and Apoptosis, are biologically consistent prognostic factors: patients with both high proliferation and low apoptosis have the worst survival rate, and conversely. Our approach aims to combine the mechanistic insights of logical modeling with multi-omics data integration to provide patient-relevant models. This work leads to the use of logical modeling for precision medicine and will eventually facilitate the choice of patient-specific drug treatments by physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Emmanuel Barillot
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Mines Paris Tech, Inserm, U900, Paris, France
| | - Laurence Calzone
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Mines Paris Tech, Inserm, U900, Paris, France
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26
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Lother A, Deng L, Huck M, Fürst D, Kowalski J, Esser JS, Moser M, Bode C, Hein L. Endothelial cell mineralocorticoid receptors oppose VEGF-induced gene expression and angiogenesis. J Endocrinol 2019; 240:15-26. [PMID: 30400069 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Aldosterone is a key factor in adverse cardiovascular remodeling by acting on the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in different cell types. Endothelial MR activation mediates hypertrophy, inflammation and fibrosis. Cardiovascular remodeling is often accompanied by impaired angiogenesis, which is a risk factor for the development of heart failure. In this study, we evaluated the impact of MR in endothelial cells on angiogenesis. Deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-induced hypertension was associated with capillary rarefaction in the heart of WT mice but not of mice with cell type-specific MR deletion in endothelial cells. Consistently, endothelial MR deletion prevented the inhibitory effect of aldosterone on the capillarization of subcutaneously implanted silicon tubes and on capillary sprouting from aortic ring segments. We examined MR-dependent gene expression in cultured endothelial cells by RNA-seq and identified a cluster of differentially regulated genes related to angiogenesis. We found opposing effects on gene expression when comparing activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor in ECs to treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent activator of angiogenesis. In conclusion, we demonstrate here that activation of endothelial cell MR impaired angiogenic capacity and lead to capillary rarefaction in a mouse model of MR-driven hypertension. MR activation opposed VEGF-induced gene expression leading to the dysregulation of angiogenesis-related gene networks in endothelial cells. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of endothelial cell MR in the pathophysiology of hypertension and related heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achim Lother
- A Lother, Institute of experimental and clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lisa Deng
- L Deng, Institute of experimental and clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Huck
- M Huck, Institute of experimental and clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - David Fürst
- D Fürst, Institute of experimental and clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Kowalski
- J Kowalski, Institute of experimental and clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jennifer Susanne Esser
- J Esser, Heart Center, Cardiology and Angiology I, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Martin Moser
- M Moser, Heart Center, Cardiology and Angiology I, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Bode
- C Bode, Heart Center, Cardiology and Angiology I, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lutz Hein
- L Hein, Institute of experimental and clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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