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Duranova H, Kuzelova L, Borotova P, Simora V, Fialkova V. Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells as a Versatile Cellular Model System in Diverse Experimental Paradigms: An Ultrastructural Perspective. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2024; 30:419-439. [PMID: 38817111 DOI: 10.1093/mam/ozae048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are primary cells isolated from the vein of an umbilical cord, extensively used in cardiovascular studies and medical research. These cells, retaining the characteristics of endothelial cells in vivo, serve as a valuable cellular model system for understanding vascular biology, endothelial dysfunction, pathophysiology of diseases such as atherosclerosis, and responses to different drugs or treatments. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been a cornerstone in revealing the detailed architecture of multiple cellular model systems including HUVECs, allowing researchers to visualize subcellular organelles, membrane structures, and cytoskeletal elements. Among them, the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, and nucleus can be meticulously examined to recognize alterations indicative of cellular responses to various stimuli. Importantly, Weibel-Palade bodies are characteristic secretory organelles found in HUVECs, which can be easily distinguished in the TEM. These distinctive structures also dynamically react to different factors through regulated exocytosis, resulting in complete or selective release of their contents. This detailed review summarizes the ultrastructural features of HUVECs and highlights the utility of TEM as a pivotal tool for analyzing HUVECs in diverse research frameworks, contributing valuable insights into the comprehension of HUVEC behavior and enriching our knowledge into the complexity of vascular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Duranova
- AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Lenka Kuzelova
- AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovak Republic
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Institute of Biotechnology, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Petra Borotova
- AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Veronika Simora
- AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Veronika Fialkova
- AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovak Republic
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Filippelli A, Del Gaudio C, Simonis V, Ciccone V, Spini A, Donnini S. Scoping Review on Platelets and Tumor Angiogenesis: Do We Need More Evidence or Better Analysis? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13401. [PMID: 36362186 PMCID: PMC9656254 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Platelets are an active component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), involved in the regulation of multiple tumor processes, including angiogenesis. They are generated rich in angiogenic factors in their granules to actively participate in the hemostatic process by megakaryocytes and further enriched in angiogenic factors by all components of the tumor microenvironment to control the angiogenic process because of their preferential relationship with the endothelial component of vessels. In recent decades, the literature has reported a great deal of evidence on the role of platelets in tumor angiogenesis; however, it is unclear whether the number or mean volume of platelets and/or their content and localization in TME may have clinical relevance in the choice and management of therapy for the cancer patient. In this scoping review, we collected and critically reviewed the scientific evidence supporting a close relationship between platelets, cancer, and angiogenesis. The aim of this work was to define the landscape of platelet-activated angiogenesis in cancer progression and analyze what and how much evidence is present in the last 20 years in the literature at both the preclinical and clinical levels, to answer whether platelets could be a useful determinant for analyzing tumor angiogenesis. In conclusion, this scoping review indicates that there is much evidence, both preclinical and clinical, but in the preclinical context, studies demonstrate the direct involvement of platelets in tumor angiogenesis; in the clinical context the evidence is indirect, though strong, and the indication of how and to what extent platelet content contributes to tumor angiogenesis is lacking. So, do we need more evidence or better analysis? More molecular and quali-quantitative data is needed to translate the results obtained in preclinical studies into the clinical setting. This information about platelets, if correlated with tumor type and its biology, including tumor vasculature, type of angiogenesis, and patient characteristics (age, sex, comorbidities, drug treatments for chronic diseases) could be an important pa- rameter for correlating platelet biology to angiogenesis, for personalizing cancer therapy, and for clinical prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Filippelli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Cinzia Del Gaudio
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Vittoria Simonis
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Valerio Ciccone
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Spini
- Department of Medical Science, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sandra Donnini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Li B, Zhu T, Wu X, Chen S, Lu C, Zhu J, Li Q. The crosstalk between lung cancer cells and platelets promotes tumor angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022:10.1007/s00432-022-04259-9. [PMID: 35951091 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04259-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We previously showed that the crosstalk of H1975 cells and platelets (PLTs) may promote tumor angiogenesis. This study aimed to determine whether other lung cell lines (LC) interacting with PLTs could affect tumor angiogenesis through in vivo and in vitro experiments. METHODS Cell Counting Kit-8, EdU cell proliferation, wound healing, Transwell invasion, F-actin staining, tube formation, ELISA and western blot assays were performed to investigate the properties and the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), p-VEGFR2, PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt and eNOS in supernatants or HUVECs. Then, using mouse models, immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression levels of CD31 and VEGF. RESULTS Compared with single-cultured HUVECs (EC) or incubation with either LC supernatant (EC + LC) or activated PLT supernatant (EC + PLT), incubation with SN_LCP (supernatant derived from LC cocultured with PLT, named the EC + LC + PLT group) improved the viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation activities of HUVECs and the expression of F-actin, VEGF, VEGFR2, p-VEGFR2, p-PI3K, p-Akt and eNOS in HUVECs. Higher expression levels of CD31 and VEGF were found in the LLC + PLT (mouse model inoculated with Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cells cocultured with PLTs) group than in the LLC (mouse model inoculated with LLC cells alone) group. However, the increased angiogenic properties of HUVECs were inhibited by apatinib, an inhibitor of VEGFR2. CONCLUSION Lung carcinoma cells interacting with PLTs may play a key role in lung carcinoma angiogenesis through the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baikun Li
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, (Anhui University of Chinese Medicine), The Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230038, China.,School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Ting Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, (Anhui University of Chinese Medicine), The Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230038, China.,School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Xiaohong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, (Anhui University of Chinese Medicine), The Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230038, China.,School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Shiyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, (Anhui University of Chinese Medicine), The Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230038, China.,School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Chen Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Jimin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, (Anhui University of Chinese Medicine), The Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230038, China. .,School of Life Sciences, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.
| | - Qinglin Li
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, (Anhui University of Chinese Medicine), The Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230038, China. .,School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.
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