EDIL3 knockdown inhibits retinal angiogenesis through the induction of cell cycle arrest in vitro

HAPLN3 p.T34A contributes to incomplete penetrance of moyamoya disease in Chinese carrying RNF213 p.R4810K

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The penetrance of the RNF213 p.R4810K, a founder mutation of moyamoya disease (MMD), is estimated to be only 1/150-1/300. However, the factors affecting its penetrance remain unclear. Therefore, our study aims to identify modifier genes associated with the incomplete penetrance of this founder mutation.

METHODS

Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on 36 participants, including 22 MMD patients and 14 non-MMD controls with RNF213 p.R4810K mutation. Fisher's exact test was used to assess the presence of genetic variants that differed significantly between MMD patients and non-MMD controls. In order to exclude false-positive results, another 55 carriers were included to perform Fisher's exact test for the selected sites in the WES discovery stage. Subsequently, human brain microvascular endothelial cells were transfected with wild-type and mutant HAPLN3 for tube formation assays and western blotting to explore the impact of candidate genes on angiogenesis.

RESULTS

Analysis of variants from WES data revealed a total of 12 non-synonymous variants. Through bioinformatics analysis, the focus was on the HAPLN3 p.T34A variant with a significant p value of 0.00731 in Fisher's exact test. Validation through Sanger sequencing confirmed the presence of this variant in the WES data. In vitro experiments revealed that silencing HAPLN3 and transfecting HAPLN3 p.T34A significantly enhanced tube formation and increased the relative protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that HAPLN3 may function as a modifier gene of RNF213 p.R4810K, promoting the development of MMD and contributing to the incomplete penetrance of MMD founder mutations.

Genetic influence on scar vascularity after burn injury in individuals of European ancestry: A prospective cohort study

After burn injury there is considerable variation in scar outcome, partially due to genetic factors. Scar vascularity is one characteristic that varies between individuals, and this study aimed to identify genetic variants contributing to different scar vascularity outcomes. An exome-wide array association study and gene pathway analysis was performed on a prospective cohort of 665 patients of European ancestry treated for burn injury, using their scar vascularity (SV) sub-score, part of the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS), as an outcome measure. DNA was genotyped using the Infinium HumanCoreExome-24 BeadChip, imputed to the Haplotype Reference Consortium panel. Associations between genetic variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and SV were estimated using an additive genetic model adjusting for sex, age, % total body surface area and number of surgical procedures, utilising linear and multinomial logistic regression. No individual genetic variants achieved the cut-off threshold for significance. Gene sets were also analysed using the Functional Mapping and Annotation (FUMA) platform, in which biological processes indirectly related to angiogenesis were significantly represented. This study suggests that SNPs in genes associated with angiogenesis may influence SV, but further studies with larger datasets are essential to validate these findings.

Novel mediators regulating angiogenesis in diabetic foot ulcer healing

A non-healing diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a debilitating clinical problem amounting to socioeconomic and psychosocial burdens. DFUs increase morbidity due to prolonged treatment and mortality in the case of non-treatable ulcers resulting in gangrene and septicemia. The overall amputation rate of the lower extremity with DFU ranges from 3.34% to 42.83%. Wound debridement, antibiotics, applying growth factors, negative pressure wound therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, topical oxygen, and skin grafts are common therapies for DFU. However, recurrence and nonhealing ulcers are still major issues. Chronicity of inflammation, hypoxic environment, poor angiogenesis, and decreased formation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are common impediments leading to nonhealing patterns of DFUs. Angiogenesis is crucial for wound healing since proper vessel formation facilitates nutrients, oxygen, and immune cells to the ulcer tissue to help in clearing out debris and facilitate healing. However, poor angiogenesis due to decreased expression of angiogenic mediators and matrix formation results in nonhealing and ultimately amputation. Multiple proangiogenic mediators and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy exist to enhance angiogenesis, but the results are not satisfactory. Thus, there is a need to investigate novel pro-angiogenic mediators that can either alone or in combination enhance the angiogenesis and healing of DFUs. In this article, we critically reviewed the existing pro-angiogenic mediators followed by potentially novel factors that might play a regulatory role in promoting angiogenesis and wound healing in DFUs.

EDIL3 is a potential prognostic biomarker that correlates with immune infiltrates in gastric cancer

Background

EDIL3, which contains epidermal growth factor-like repeats and discoidin I-like domains, is a secretory protein that plays an important role in embryonic development and various illnesses. However, the biological function of EDIL3 in gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear. The objective of this research was to explore the role and potential mechanism of EDIL3 in GC.

Methods

In this study, we used the GEPIA, HPA, MethSurv, SMART, STRING, GeneMANIA, LinkedOmics TIMER, TIMER2.0, TISIDB, and RNAactDrug databases to comprehensively analyze the roles of EDIL3 in GC. To validate the in silico findings, EDIL3 expression was measured in our collected GC tissues. Meanwhile, several in vitro experiments were performed to test the function of EDIL3 in GC.

Results

We found that EDIL3 was highly expressed in GC and associated with adverse clinical features. In vitro assays revealed that EDIL3 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells. The functions of EDIL3 and co-expression genes were significantly associated with extracellular structure organization and matrix receptor interaction. EDIL3 expression was positively associated with numerous tumor-infiltrating immune cells and their biomarkers.

Conclusion

This study determined that EDIL3 may function as an oncogene and is associated with immune infiltration in GC. EDIL3 could be used as a potential therapeutic target for GC.

Developmental endothelial locus-1 in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases: A promising biomarker and therapeutic target

Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (CVMDs) are a leading cause of death worldwide and impose a major socioeconomic burden on individuals and healthcare systems, underscoring the urgent need to develop new drug therapies. Developmental endothelial locus-1 (DEL-1) is a secreted multifunctional domain protein that can bind to integrins and play an important role in the occurrence and development of various diseases. Recently, DEL-1 has attracted increased interest for its pharmacological role in the treatment and/or management of CVMDs. In this review, we present the current knowledge on the predictive and therapeutic role of DEL-1 in a variety of CVMDs, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiac remodeling, ischemic heart disease, obesity, and insulin resistance. Collectively, DEL-1 is a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for CVMDs.

EDIL3 influenced the αvβ3-FAK/MEK/ERK axis of endothelial cells in psoriasis

One of the earliest events in the development of psoriatic lesion is a vascular network expansion. The abnormal vascular network is associated with increased endothelial cells (ECs) survival, proliferation, adhesion, migration, angiogenesis and permeability in psoriatic lesion. Our previous study demonstrated that epidermal growth factor‐like repeats and discoidin I‐like domains 3 (EDIL3) derived from psoriatic dermal mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs) promoted cell–cell adhesion, migration and angiogenesis of ECs, but the molecular mechanism of upstream or downstream has not been explored. So, this study aimed to explore the association between EDIL3 derived from DMSCs (DMSCs‐derived EDIL3) and psoriasis‐associated angiogenesis. We injected recombinant EDIL3 protein to mouse model of psoriasis to confirm the roles of EDIL3 in psoriasis. Besides, we employed both short‐interference RNA (si‐RNA) and lentiviral vectors to explore the molecular mechanism of EDIL3 promoting angiogenesis in psoriasis. In vivo, this research found that after injected recombination EDIL3 protein, the epidermis thickness and microvessel density were both elevated. EDIL3 accelerated the process of psoriasis in the IMQ‐induced psoriasis‐like mouse model. Additionally, we confirmed that in vitro DMSCs‐derived EDIL3 is involved in the tube formation of ECs via αvβ3‐FAK/MEK/ERK signal pathway. This suggested that DMSCs‐derived EDIL3 and αvβ3‐FAK/MEK/ERK signal pathway in ECs play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. And the modification of DMSCs, EDIL3 and αvβ3‐FAK/MEK/ERK signal pathway will provide a valuable therapeutic target to control the angiogenesis in psoriasis.

Psoriasis-associated angiogenesis is mediated by EDIL3

The dermal mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs) from psoriasis display higher expression level of epidermal growth factor-like repeats and discoidin I-like domains 3 (EDIL3), while EDIL3 can bind integrins, including αvβ3 and αvβ5, to regulate angiogenesis. To assess the role of EDIL3 derived from DMSCs of psoriasis (P-DMSCs) in angiogenesis, in vitro, EDIL3 of DMSCs from psoriasis was silenced by interfering EDIL3. Then the efficacy of silencing EDIL3 was tested by fluorescent flag, qRT-PCR and western blotting. And, in vitro, the relationship of EDIL3 in DMSCs with the angiogenesis of HUVECs were investigated through co-culture system. In vivo, EDIL3 recombinant protein was injected into IMQ cream-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions of mouse and EDIL3-associated tube formation were determined using Image J software. Our results showed the capacity of the adhesion, migration and tube formation of HUVECs in all psoriatic DMSCs groups were significantly higher compared with the control and si-EDIL3 groups (all P<0.05) in vitro. Moreover, under stimulated by EDIL3 recombinant protein, EDIL3-associated tube formation was dramatically elevated in vivo (P<0.01). In this study, EDIL3 could promote the adhesion, migration and tube formation of ECs and participant in the angiogenesis pathogenesis of psoriasis through affecting biological function on ECs both in vitro and in vivo. The results suggest a potential role of the critical pro-angiogenic factor EDIL3 in psoriasis therapy.

Orbencarb induces lethality and organ malformation in zebrafish embryos during development

Thiocarbamates are one of the components of pesticides that target weeds by inhibiting adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. Orbencarb, one of the isomeric thiocarbamates applied to wheat, maize, and soybean, has been found to have toxic effects on mammals and marine ecosystems. Although the toxicity ranges of orbencarb in different organisms are known, specific studies on the environmental contamination and harmful effects of orbencarb on non-target organisms are scarce. In this study, we observed that orbencarb induced embryotoxicity during zebrafish development as well as apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the intestine. It was further observed that orbencarb decreased the viability of the embryos and simultaneously affected the heart rate and vessel formation. Orbencarb decreased the mRNA levels of ccnd1, ccne1, cdk2, and cdk6 and induced abnormal development of the eyes, brain, yolk sac, and spinal cord in zebrafish embryos. Orbencarb also hampered vasculogenesis in the zebrafish embryos by inhibiting the mRNA expression of flt1, flt4, kdr, and vegfc. Collectively, these results suggested that orbencarb is embryotoxic and disrupts the normal growth of zebrafish embryos by inducing the generation of ROS and hampering vasculogenesis.

Inhibitory role of miR-203 in the angiogenesis of mice with pathological retinal neovascularization disease through downregulation of SNAI2

BACKGROUND

Pathological retinal neovascularization is a disease characterized by abnormal angiogenesis in retina that is a major cause of blindness in humans. Previous reports have highlighted the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in retinal angiogenesis. Therefore, we aimed at exploring the mechanism underlying miR-203 regulating the progression of pathological retinal neovascularization.

METHODS

Initially, the mouse model of pathological retinal neovascularization disease was established and the hypoxia-induced human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) were generated. Then, miR-203 and SNAI2 expression in HRMECs and retinal tissues was examined. Subsequently, the effects of miR-203 and SNAI2 on viability, migration, apoptosis and angiogenesis of HRMECs were investigated, with the expression of Bax, Ki-67, MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF and CD34 measured. Finally, the regulation of miR-203 or SNAI2 on GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway was determined through examining the levels of phosphorylated p-GSK-3β and β-catenin.

RESULTS

Poorly expressed miR-203 and highly expressed SNAI2 were found in HRMECs and retinal tissues of pathological retinal neovascularization. Importantly, overexpressed miR-203 or silencing SNAI2 inhibited viability, migration and angiogenesis but promoted apoptosis of HRMECs, evidenced by elevated Bax expression but reduced expression of Ki-67, MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF and CD34. Moreover, overexpression of miR-203 was found to repress the GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway by downregulating SNAI2.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, this study demonstrated that overexpression of miR-203 suppressed the angiogenesis in mice with pathological retinal neovascularization disease via the inactivation of GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway by inhibiting SNAI2, which provided a novel therapeutic insight for pathological retinal neovascularization disease.

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms in the Pathogenesis of Classical, Vascular, and Hypermobile Ehlers‒Danlos Syndromes

The Ehlers‒Danlos syndromes (EDS) constitute a heterogenous group of connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin abnormalities, and vascular fragility. The latest nosology recognizes 13 types caused by pathogenic variants in genes encoding collagens and other molecules involved in collagen processing and extracellular matrix (ECM) biology. Classical (cEDS), vascular (vEDS), and hypermobile (hEDS) EDS are the most frequent types. cEDS and vEDS are caused respectively by defects in collagen V and collagen III, whereas the molecular basis of hEDS is unknown. For these disorders, the molecular pathology remains poorly studied. Herein, we review, expand, and compare our previous transcriptome and protein studies on dermal fibroblasts from cEDS, vEDS, and hEDS patients, offering insights and perspectives in their molecular mechanisms. These cells, though sharing a pathological ECM remodeling, show differences in the underlying pathomechanisms. In cEDS and vEDS fibroblasts, key processes such as collagen biosynthesis/processing, protein folding quality control, endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis, autophagy, and wound healing are perturbed. In hEDS cells, gene expression changes related to cell-matrix interactions, inflammatory/pain responses, and acquisition of an in vitro pro-inflammatory myofibroblast-like phenotype may contribute to the complex pathogenesis of the disorder. Finally, emerging findings from miRNA profiling of hEDS fibroblasts are discussed to add some novel biological aspects about hEDS etiopathogenesis.

Molecular insights in the pathogenesis of classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome from transcriptome-wide expression profiling of patients' skin fibroblasts

Classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (cEDS) is a dominant inherited connective tissue disorder mainly caused by mutations in the COL5A1 and COL5A2 genes encoding type V collagen (COLLV), which is a fibrillar COLL widely distributed in a variety of connective tissues. cEDS patients suffer from skin hyperextensibility, abnormal wound healing/atrophic scars, and joint hypermobility. Most of the causative variants result in a non-functional COL5A1 allele and COLLV haploinsufficiency, whilst COL5A2 mutations affect its structural integrity. To shed light into disease mechanisms involved in cEDS, we performed gene expression profiling in skin fibroblasts from four patients harboring haploinsufficient and structural mutations in both disease genes. Transcriptome profiling revealed significant changes in the expression levels of different extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes, such as SPP1, POSTN, EDIL3, IGFBP2, and C3, which encode both matricellular and soluble proteins that are mainly involved in cell proliferation and migration, and cutaneous wound healing. These gene expression changes are consistent with our previous protein findings on in vitro fibroblasts from other cEDS patients, which exhibited reduced migration and poor wound repair owing to COLLV disorganization, altered deposition of fibronectin into ECM, and an abnormal integrin pattern. Microarray analysis also indicated the decreased expression of DNAJB7, VIPAS39, CCPG1, ATG10, SVIP, which encode molecular chaperones facilitating protein folding, enzymes regulating post-Golgi COLLs processing, and proteins acting as cargo receptors required for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteostasis and implicated in the autophagy process. Patients’ cells also showed altered mRNA levels of many cell cycle regulating genes including CCNE2, KIF4A, MKI67, DTL, and DDIAS. Protein studies showed that aberrant COLLV expression causes the disassembly of itself and many structural ECM constituents including COLLI, COLLIII, fibronectin, and fibrillins. Our findings provide the first molecular evidence of significant gene expression changes in cEDS skin fibroblasts highlighting that defective ECM remodeling, ER homeostasis and autophagy might play a role in the pathogenesis of this connective tissue disorder.

Inhibition of retinal angiogenesis by gold nanoparticles via inducing autophagy

AIM

To investigate the effect of gold nanoparticles on retinal angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, and to reveal the possible mechanism.

METHODS

Seed growth method was used to synthesize gold nanoparticles (GNPs). The size, zeta potential, absorption spectrum and morphology of GNPs were identified using Malvern Nano-ZS, multimode reader (BioTek synergy2) and transmission electron microscope. Cell viability was analyzed using cell counting kit-8 method and cell growth was assessed with EdU kit. Transwell chamber was used to investigate cell migration. Tube formation method was used to assess the angiogenic property in vitro. Oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR) model was used to investigate the effect of GNPs on retinal angiogenesis. Confocal microscope and Western blot were used to study the possible mechanism of GNPs inhibited angiogenesis.

RESULTS

The GNPs synthesized were uniform and well dispersed. GNPs of 10 µg/mL and 20 µg/mL were able to inhibit human umbilical vein endothelial cells proliferation (50% and 72% separately, P<0.001), migration (54% and 83% separately, P<0.001) and tube formation (52% and 90% separately, P<0.001). Further data showed that GNPs were able to improve the retinopathy in an OIR model. The possible mechanism might be that GNPs were able to induce autophagy significantly (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The present study suggests that GNPs are able to inhibit retinal neovascularization in vitro and in vivo. GNPs might be a potential nanomedicine for the treatment of retinal angiogenesis.