A critical role for phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate-dependent Rac exchanger 1 in endothelial junction disruption and vascular hyperpermeability

Overlap of Genetic Loci for Central Serous Chorioretinopathy With Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Importance

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a serous maculopathy of unknown etiology. Two of 3 previously reported CSC genetic risk loci are also associated with AMD. Improved understanding of CSC genetics may broaden our understanding of this genetic overlap and unveil mechanisms in both diseases.

Objective

To identify novel genetic risk factors for CSC and compare genetic risk factors for CSC and AMD.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth (ICD-9) and Tenth (ICD-10) Revision code-based inclusion and exclusion criteria, patients with CSC and controls were identified in both the FinnGen study and the Estonian Biobank (EstBB). Also included in a meta-analysis were previously reported patients with chronic CSC and controls. Data were analyzed from March 1 to September 31, 2022.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) were performed in the biobank-based cohorts followed by a meta-analysis of all cohorts. The expression of genes prioritized by the polygenic priority score and nearest-gene methods were assessed in cultured choroidal endothelial cells and public ocular single-cell RNA sequencing data sets. The predictive utility of polygenic scores (PGSs) for CSC and AMD were evaluated in the FinnGen study.

Results

A total of 1176 patients with CSC and 526 787 controls (312 162 female [59.3%]) were included in this analysis: 552 patients with CSC and 343 461 controls were identified in the FinnGen study, 103 patients with CSC and 178 573 controls were identified in the EstBB, and 521 patients with chronic CSC and 3577 controls were included in a meta-analysis. Two previously reported CSC risk loci were replicated (near CFH and GATA5) and 3 novel loci were identified (near CD34/46, NOTCH4, and PREX1). The CFH and NOTCH4 loci were associated with AMD but in the opposite direction. Prioritized genes showed increased expression in cultured choroidal endothelial cells compared with other genes in the loci (median [IQR] of log 2 [counts per million], 7.3 [0.6] vs 4.7 [3.7]; P = .004) and were differentially expressed in choroidal vascular endothelial cells in single-cell RNA sequencing data (mean [SD] fold change, 2.05 [0.38] compared with other cell types; P < 7.1 × 10-20). A PGS for AMD was predictive of reduced CSC risk (odds ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.70-0.83 per +1 SD in AMD-PGS; P = 7.4 × 10-10). This association may have been mediated by loci containing complement genes.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this 3-cohort genetic association study, 5 genetic risk loci for CSC were identified, highlighting a likely role for genes involved in choroidal vascular function and complement regulation. Results suggest that polygenic AMD risk was associated with reduced risk of CSC and that this genetic overlap was largely due to loci containing complement genes.

Pharmacological Inhibition of P-Rex1/Rac1 Axis Blocked Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis

PURPOSE

Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent Rac exchange factor-1 (P-Rex1), as one of the members of Rac-GEFs, has been proven to play a critical role in cancer progression and metastasis. Nonetheless, its role in cardiac fibrosis remains elusive. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether and how the P-Rex1 mediates AngII-induced cardiac fibrosis.

METHOD

A cardiac fibrosis mouse model was established by chronic AngII perfusion. The heart structure, function, pathological changes of myocardial tissues, oxidative stress, and cardiac fibrotic protein expression were determined in an AngII induced mouse model. To provide a molecular mechanism for P-Rex1 involvement in cardiac fibrosis, a specific inhibitor or siRNA was used to block P-Rex1, and target the relationship between Rac1-GTPase and its downstream effector.

RESULTS

Blocking P-Rex1 showed down-regulation of its downstream effectors such as the profibrotic transcriptional regulator Paks, ERK1/2, and ROS generation. Intervention treatment with P-Rex1 inhibitor 1A-116 ameliorated AngII-induced abnormalities in heart structure and function. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of the P-Rex1/Rac1 axis showed a protective effect in AngII-induced cardiac fibrosis through the down-regulation of collagen1, CTGF, and α-SMA expression.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated for the first time that P-Rex1 was an essential signaling mediator in CFs activation and subsequent cardiac fibrosis, and 1A-116 could be a potential pharmacological development drug.

The Emerging Role of Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors in Cardiovascular Disorders: Insights Into Atherosclerosis: A Mini Review

Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease accounts for one-third of global deaths. However, the mechanism of atherosclerosis is not fully understood. It is well-known that the Rho GTPase family, especially Rho A, plays a vital role in the development and progression of arteriosclerosis. Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Rho GEFs), which act upstream of Rho GTPases, are also involved in the atheromatous pathological process. Despite some research on the role of Rho GEFS in the regulation of atherosclerosis, the number of studies is small relative to studies on the essential function of Rho GEFs. Some studies have preliminarily revealed Rho GEF regulation of atherosclerosis by experiments in vivo and in vitro. Herein, we review the advances in research on the relationship and interaction between Rho GEFs and atheroma to provide a potential reference for further study of atherosclerosis.

P-Rex1 Controls Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptor Signalling, Morphology, and Cell-Cycle Progression in Neuronal Cells

P-Rex1 is a guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that activates Rac-type small G proteins in response to the stimulation of a range of receptors, particularly G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), to control cytoskeletal dynamics and other Rac-dependent cell responses. P-Rex1 is mainly expressed in leukocytes and neurons. Whereas its roles in leukocytes have been studied extensively, relatively little is known about its functions in neurons. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated P-Rex1 deficiency in neuronal PC12 cells that stably overexpress the GPCR S1PR1, a receptor for sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), to investigate the role of P-Rex1 in neuronal GPCR signalling and cell responses. We show that P-Rex1 is required for the S1P-stimulated activation of Rac1 and Akt, basal Rac3 activity, and constitutive cAMP production in PC12-S1PR1 cells. The constitutive cAMP production was not due to increased expression levels of major neuronal adenylyl cyclases, suggesting that P-Rex1 may regulate adenylyl cyclase activity. P-Rex1 was required for maintenance of neurite protrusions and spreading in S1P-stimulated PC12-S1PR1 cells, as well as for cell-cycle progression and proliferation. In summary, we identified novel functional roles of P-Rex1 in neuronal Rac, Akt and cAMP signalling, as well as in neuronal cell-cycle progression and proliferation.

P-Rex1 Cooperates With TGFβR2 to Drive Lung Fibroblast Migration in Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a kind of interstitial lung disease with progressive pulmonary scar formation, leading to irreversible loss of lung functions. The TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway plays a key role in fibrogenic processes. It is associated with the increased synthesis of extracellular matrix, enhanced proliferation of fibroblasts, and transformation of alveolar epithelial cells into interstitial cells. We investigated P-Rex1, a PIP₃-Gβγ-dependent guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rac, for its potential role in TGF-β1-induced pulmonary fibrosis. A high expression level of P-Rex1 was identified in the lung tissue of patients with pulmonary fibrosis than that from healthy donors. Using the P-Rex1 knockdown and overexpression system, we established a novel player of P-Rex1 in mouse lung fibroblast migration. P-Rex1 contributed to fibrogenic processes in lung fibroblasts by targeting the TGF-β type Ⅱ receptor (TGFβR2). The RNA-seq analysis for expression profiling confirmed the modulation of P-Rex1 in cell migration and the involvement of P-Rex1 in TGF-β1 signaling. These results identified P-Rex1 as a signaling molecule involved in TGF-β1-induced pulmonary fibrosis, suggesting that P-Rex1 may be a potential target for pulmonary fibrosis treatment.

Inflammatory Immune Cytokine TNF-α Modulates Ezrin Protein Activation via FAK/RhoA Signaling Pathway in PMVECs Hyperpermeability

Background: One of the important pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the dysfunction of pulmonary microvascular endothelial barrier induced by a hyperinflammatory immune response. However, the potential mechanisms of such an imbalance in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) are not yet understood. Purpose: Explore the molecular mechanism of endothelial barrier dysfunction induced by inflammatory immune cytokines in ARDS, and find a therapeutic target for this syndrome. Methods: Rat PMVECs were cultured to form a monolayer. Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and Western blotting were selected to detect the distribution and the expression level of phosphorylated Ezrin protein and Ezrin protein. Transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) and transendothelial fluxes of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA) were utilized to measure the permeability of the cell monolayer. Ezrin short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and Ezrin 567-site threonine mutant (Ezrin^T567A) were used to examine the role of Ezrin protein and phosphorylated Ezrin protein in endothelial response induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), respectively. The function of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA) signaling pathways were estimated by inhibitors and RhoA/FAK shRNA in TNF-α-stimulated rat PMVECs. The activation of FAK and RhoA was assessed by Western blotting or pull-down assay plus Western blotting. Results: The TER was decreased after TNF-α treatment, while the Ezrin protein phosphorylation was increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The phosphorylated Ezrin protein was localized primarily at the cell periphery, resulting in filamentous actin (F-actin) rearrangement, followed by a significant decrease in TER and increase in fluxes of FITC-BSA. Moreover, FAK and RhoA signaling pathways were required in the phosphorylation of Ezrin protein, and the former positively regulated the latter. Conclusion: The phosphorylated Ezrin protein was induced by TNF-α via the FAK/RhoA signaling pathway leading to endothelial hyperpermeability in PMVECs.

Rho GTPases in Retinal Vascular Diseases

The Rho family of small GTPases (Rho GTPases) act as molecular switches that transduce extrinsic stimuli into cytoskeletal rearrangements. In vascular endothelial cells (ECs), Cdc42, Rac1, and RhoA control cell migration and cell–cell junctions downstream of angiogenic and inflammatory cytokines, thereby regulating vascular formation and permeability. While these Rho GTPases are broadly expressed in various types of cells, RhoJ is enriched in angiogenic ECs. Semaphorin 3E (Sema3E) releases RhoJ from the intracellular domain of PlexinD1, by which RhoJ induces actin depolymerization through competition with Cdc42 for their common effector proteins. RhoJ further mediates the Sema3E-induced association of PlexinD1 with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 2 and the activation of p38. Upon stimulation with VEGF-A, RhoJ facilitates the formation of a holoreceptor complex comprising VEGFR2, PlexinD1, and neuropilin-1, leading to the prevention of VEGFR2 degradation and the maintenance of intracellular signal transduction. These pleiotropic roles of RhoJ are required for directional EC migration in retinal angiogenesis. This review highlights the latest insights regarding Rho GTPases in the field of vascular biology, as it will be informative to consider their potential as targets for the treatment of aberrant angiogenesis and hyperpermeability in retinal vascular diseases.

Identification of P-Rex1 in the Regulation of Liver Cancer Cell Proliferation and Migration via HGF/c-Met/Akt Pathway

Background

Rho-GTPases and their activators, guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), are increasingly being recognized as essential mediators of oncogenic signaling. Although it is known that P-Rex1, a member of the Dbl family of GEFs for the Rac small GTPase, contributes to the migration of cancer cells, its exact role in liver cancer and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Materials and Methods

Public datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO) and clinical liver cancer samples were analyzed to explore the expression of P-Rex1. P-Rex1 knockdown and overexpression cell lines were established using a recombinant lentiviral transfection system. BrdU and colony formation assays were performed to determine cell viability. Migratory capacity was analyzed using a transwell migration assay and an in vitro wound-healing assay. Nude mice bearing subcutaneous xenograft tumors were established to determine the effects of P-Rex1 on tumorigenesis in vivo. The role of P-Rex1 in hepatocarcinogenesis was determined through Western blot and co-immunoprecipitation.

Results

Induced expression of endogenous P-Rex1 was identified in liver cancer tumors when compared with adjacent nonmalignant tissues from clinical data. In response to HGF treatment, P-Rex1-knockdown cells displayed reduced proliferation and migration in vitro as well as reduced xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Overexpression of P-Rex1 promoted liver cancer cell proliferation and migration. P-Rex1 primarily acts as a downstream effector of GPCR signaling. This study demonstrated that downregulation of P-Rex1 led to a significant decrease in the phosphorylation of Akt and Erk1/2 by reducing the phosphorylation of the tyrosine kinase receptor c-Met. Furthermore, a physical association between P-Rex1 and c-Met was observed after HGF treatment, suggesting that P-Rex1 may be involved in the HGF/c-Met signaling pathway.

Conclusion

These results support the role of P-Rex1 as a novel player in liver cancer, which suggest that targeting P-Rex1 may provide a potential strategy for liver cancer treatment.

The first DEP domain of the RhoGEF P-Rex1 autoinhibits activity and contributes to membrane binding

Phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP₃)-dependent Rac exchanger 1 (P-Rex1) catalyzes the exchange of GDP for GTP on Rac GTPases, thereby triggering changes in the actin cytoskeleton and in transcription. Its overexpression is highly correlated with the metastasis of certain cancers. P-Rex1 recruitment to the plasma membrane and its activity are regulated via interactions with heterotrimeric Gβγ subunits, PIP₃, and protein kinase A (PKA). Deletion analysis has further shown that domains C-terminal to its catalytic Dbl homology (DH) domain confer autoinhibition. Among these, the first dishevelled, Egl-10, and pleckstrin domain (DEP1) remains to be structurally characterized. DEP1 also harbors the primary PKA phosphorylation site, suggesting that an improved understanding of this region could substantially increase our knowledge of P-Rex1 signaling and open the door to new selective chemotherapeutics. Here we show that the DEP1 domain alone can autoinhibit activity in context of the DH/PH-DEP1 fragment of P-Rex1 and interacts with the DH/PH domains in solution. The 3.1 Å crystal structure of DEP1 features a domain swap, similar to that observed previously in the Dvl2 DEP domain, involving an exposed basic loop that contains the PKA site. Using purified proteins, we show that although DEP1 phosphorylation has no effect on the activity or solution conformation of the DH/PH-DEP1 fragment, it inhibits binding of the DEP1 domain to liposomes containing phosphatidic acid. Thus, we propose that PKA phosphorylation of the DEP1 domain hampers P-Rex1 binding to negatively charged membranes in cells, freeing the DEP1 domain to associate with and inhibit the DH/PH module.

The Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor P-Rex1 as a potential drug target for cancer metastasis and inflammatory diseases

Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP₃)-dependent Rac exchanger 1 (P-Rex1) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rac small GTPases and the Rac-related GTPase RhoG. P-Rex1 plays an important role in cell migration and relays intracellular signals generated through activation of G protein-coupled receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases. Studies of mouse models have found that P-Rex1 expression and activation is associated with tumor cell migration, brain development and pathological changes such as lung edema. Since its initial discovery, P-Rex1 has been known for its large size and multiple activation mechanisms that involve not only PIP₃ but also the βγ subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins and a regulatory subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent kinase, PKA RIα. At the core of the GEF activity is the tandem Dbl homology domain and the pleckstrin homology domain (DH/PH domains) that are masked until activation signals unwind the P-Rex1 structure. Understanding the activation mechanisms will help designing therapeutics that target P-Rex1 for cancer and other diseases.

Discovery of Small Molecules That Target the Phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5) Trisphosphate (PIP3)-Dependent Rac Exchanger 1 (P-Rex1) PIP3-Binding Site and Inhibit P-Rex1-Dependent Functions in Neutrophils

Phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5) trisphosphate (PIP₃)-dependent Rac exchanger 1 (P-Rex1) is a Rho guanine-nucleotide exchange factor that was originally discovered in neutrophils and is regulated by G protein βγ subunits and the lipid PIP₃ in response to chemoattractants. P-Rex1 has also become increasingly recognized for its role in promoting metastasis of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and melanoma. Recent structural, biochemical, and biologic work has shown that binding of PIP₃ to the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of P-Rex1 is required for its activation in cells. Here, differential scanning fluorimetry was used in a medium-throughput screen to identify six small molecules that interact with the P-Rex1 PH domain and block binding of and activation by PIP₃ Three of these compounds inhibit N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine induced spreading of human neutrophils as well as activation of the GTPase Rac2, both of which are downstream effects of P-Rex1 activity. Furthermore, one of these compounds reduces neutrophil velocity and inhibits neutrophil recruitment in response to inflammation in a zebrafish model. These results suggest that the PH domain of P-Rex1 is a tractable drug target and that these compounds might be useful for inhibiting P-Rex1 in other experimental contexts. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: A set of small molecules identified in a thermal shift screen directed against the phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5) trisphosphate-dependent Rac exchanger 1 (P-Rex1) pleckstrin homology domain has effects consistent with P-Rex1 inhibition in neutrophils.

Passing the Vascular Barrier: Endothelial Signaling Processes Controlling Extravasation

A central function of the vascular endothelium is to serve as a barrier between the blood and the surrounding tissue of the body. At the same time, solutes and cells have to pass the endothelium to leave or to enter the bloodstream to maintain homeostasis. Under pathological conditions, for example, inflammation, permeability for fluid and cells is largely increased in the affected area, thereby facilitating host defense. To appropriately function as a regulated permeability filter, the endothelium uses various mechanisms to allow solutes and cells to pass the endothelial layer. These include transcellular and paracellular pathways of which the latter requires remodeling of intercellular junctions for its regulation. This review provides an overview on endothelial barrier regulation and focuses on the endothelial signaling mechanisms controlling the opening and closing of paracellular pathways for solutes and cells such as leukocytes and metastasizing tumor cells.

Serum amyloid A promotes LPS clearance and suppresses LPS-induced inflammation and tissue injury

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major microbial mediator for tissue injury and sepsis resulting from Gram-negative bacterial infection. LPS is an external factor that induces robust expression of serum amyloid A (SAA), a major constituent of the acute-phase proteins, but the relationship between SAA expression and LPS-induced tissue injury remains unclear. Here, we report that mice with inducible transgenic expression of human SAA1 are partially protected against inflammatory response and lung injury caused by LPS and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). In comparison, transgenic SAA1 does not attenuate TNFα-induced lung inflammation and injury. The SAA1 expression level correlates inversely with the endotoxin concentrations in serum and lung tissues since SAA1 binds directly to LPS to form a complex that promotes LPS uptake by macrophages. Disruption of the SAA1-LPS interaction with a SAA1-derived peptide partially reduces the protective effect and exacerbates inflammation. These findings demonstrate that acute-phase SAA provides innate feedback protection against LPS-induced inflammation and tissue injury.

A functional siRNA screen identifies RhoGTPase-associated genes involved in thrombin-induced endothelial permeability

Thrombin and other inflammatory mediators may induce vascular permeability through the disruption of adherens junctions between adjacent endothelial cells. If uncontrolled, hyperpermeability leads to an impaired barrier, fluid leakage and edema, which can contribute to multi-organ failure and death. RhoGTPases control cytoskeletal dynamics, adhesion and migration and are known regulators of endothelial integrity. Knowledge of the precise role of each RhoGTPase, and their associated regulatory and effector genes, in endothelial integrity is incomplete. Using a combination of a RNAi screen with electrical impedance measurements, we quantified the effect of individually silencing 270 Rho-associated genes on the barrier function of thrombin-activated, primary endothelial cells. Known and novel RhoGTPase-associated regulators that modulate the response to thrombin were identified (RTKN, TIAM2, MLC1, ARPC1B, SEPT2, SLC9A3R1, RACGAP1, RAPGEF2, RHOD, PREX1, ARHGEF7, PLXNB2, ARHGAP45, SRGAP2, ARHGEF5). In conclusion, with this siRNA screen, we confirmed the roles of known regulators of endothelial integrity but also identified new, potential key players in thrombin-induced endothelial signaling.

Modeling Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Humanized Severe Combined Immunodeficient Mice

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fibrotic lung disease of unknown etiopathogenesis with limited therapeutic options. IPF is characterized by an abundance of fibroblasts and loss of epithelial progenitors, which cumulates in unrelenting fibrotic lung remodeling and loss of normal oxygenation. IPF has been challenging to model in rodents; nonetheless, mouse models of lung fibrosis provide clues as to the natural progression of lung injury and remodeling, but many have not been useful in predicting efficacy of therapeutics in clinical IPF. We provide a detailed methodologic description of various iterations of humanized mouse models, initiated by the i.v. injection of cells from IPF lung biopsy or explants specimens into severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)/beige or nonobese diabetic SCID γ mice. Unlike cells from normal lung samples, IPF cells promote persistent, nonresolving lung remodeling in SCID mice. Finally, we provide examples and discuss potential advantages and pitfalls of human-specific targeting approaches in a humanized SCID model of pulmonary fibrosis.

Small GTPases orchestrate cell-cell communication during collective cell movement

Collective cell migration is a critical mechanism involved in cell movement during various physiological and pathological processes such as angiogenesis and metastasis formation. During collective movement, cells remain functionally connected and can coordinate individual cell behaviors to ensure efficient migration. A cell-cell communication process ensures this complex coordination. Although the mechanisms regulating cell-cell communication remain unclear, recent findings indicate that it is based on acto-myosin cytoskeleton tension transmission from cell to cell through adherens junctions. As for single cell migration, small GTPases of the Rho and Rab families have been shown to be critical regulators of collective motion. Here, we discuss our current understanding on how these small GTPases are themselves regulated and how they control cell-cell communication during collective migration. Moreover, we also shed light on the key role of cell-cell communication and RhoGTPases in the physiological context of endothelial cell migration during angiogenesis.

Platelets in neutrophil recruitment to sites of inflammation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review describes the essential roles of platelets in neutrophil recruitment from the bloodstream into inflamed and infected tissues, with a focus on recent findings.

RECENT FINDINGS

Platelets are required for the recruitment of neutrophils to sites of inflammation and infection. They fulfil this role largely by enabling contacts of circulating neutrophils with the inflamed blood vessel wall prior to extravasation. Platelets promote both early stages of neutrophil recruitment (tethering, rolling, arrest, firm adhesion) and - as recent work has demonstrated - later stages (intravascular crawling and diapedesis). Recent studies have also begun to identify platelet-signaling pathways that can elicit the underlying interactions between platelets, neutrophils and vascular endothelial cells without stimulating concomitant platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. These pathways include Rho-guanine-nucleotide binding proteins and Rho-guanine-nucleotide exchange factors.

SUMMARY

Recent findings have contributed to our burgeoning understanding of the platelet-dependent mechanisms that control neutrophil recruitment to sites of inflammation and have opened up new avenues of research aimed at increasing our knowledge of these mechanisms further. These insights might lead to the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs that will be useful in a wide range of inflammatory diseases without causing immunodeficiency.

Endothelial cell-cell adhesion and signaling

Endothelial cells line blood vessels and provide a dynamic interface between the blood and tissues. They remodel to allow leukocytes, fluid and small molecules to enter tissues during inflammation and infections. Here we compare the signaling networks that contribute to endothelial permeability and leukocyte transendothelial migration, focusing particularly on signals mediated by small GTPases that regulate cell adhesion and the actin cytoskeleton. Rho and Rap GTPase signaling is important for both processes, but they differ in that signals are activated locally under leukocytes, whereas endothelial permeability is a wider event that affects the whole cell. Some molecules play a unique role in one of the two processes, and could therefore be targeted to selectively alter either endothelial permeability or leukocyte transendothelial migration.

Protein Interactions at Endothelial Junctions and Signaling Mechanisms Regulating Endothelial Permeability

The monolayer of endothelial cells lining the vessel wall forms a semipermeable barrier (in all tissue except the relatively impermeable blood-brain and inner retinal barriers) that regulates tissue-fluid homeostasis, transport of nutrients, and migration of blood cells across the barrier. Permeability of the endothelial barrier is primarily regulated by a protein complex called adherens junctions. Adherens junctions are not static structures; they are continuously remodeled in response to mechanical and chemical cues in both physiological and pathological settings. Here, we discuss recent insights into the post-translational modifications of junctional proteins and signaling pathways regulating plasticity of adherens junctions and endothelial permeability. We also discuss in the context of what is already known and newly defined signaling pathways that mediate endothelial barrier leakiness (hyperpermeability) that are important in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and lung diseases and vascular inflammation.

EETs reduces LPS-induced hyperpermeability by targeting GRP78 mediated Src activation and subsequent Rho/ROCK signaling pathway

Integrity of endothelial barrier is a determinant of the prognosis in the acute lung injury caused by sepsis. The epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), metabolites of arachidonic acid, exhibit protective effects in various pathogenic states, however, whether EETs play a role in endothelial barrier enhancement and the involved mechanisms remain to be investigated. Here, we show that increased EETs level by endothelial specific cytochrome P450 epoxygenase 2J2 over-expression and soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitor TPPU reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced endothelial hyper-permeability in vivo, accompanied by improved survival of septic mice. In addition, sEH inhibitor AUDA and 11,12-EET also decreased endothelial hyper-permeability in the in-vitro study. Importantly, the relative mechanisms were associated with reduced GRP78-Src interaction and ROS production, and subsequently reduced RhoA/ROCK activation, and eventually decreased VE-cadherin and myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation. Thus CYP2J2-EETs is crucial for RhoA-dependent regulation of cytoskeletal architecture leading to reversible changes in vascular permeability, which may contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches for pulmonary edema and other diseases caused by abnormal vascular permeability.

Epinephrine inhibits vascular hyperpermeability during platelet-activating factor- or ovalbumin-induced anaphylaxis

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) has been shown to play a critical role in mediating vascular hyperpermeability during anaphylaxis.

Small GTPases and their guanine-nucleotide exchange factors and GTPase-activating proteins in neutrophil recruitment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The review describes the roles of Rho- and Rap-guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) and of their activators, guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), and inhibitors, GTPase activating proteins (GAPs), in neutrophil recruitment from the blood stream into inflamed tissues, with a focus on recently identified roles in neutrophils, endothelial cells, and platelets.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have identified important roles of Rho- and Rap-GTPases, and of their GEFs and GAPs, in the neutrophil recruitment cascade. These proteins control the upregulation and/or activation of adhesion molecules on the surface of neutrophils, endothelial cells, and platelets, and they alter cell/cell adhesion in the vascular endothelium. This enables the capture of neutrophils from the blood stream, their migration along and through the vessel wall, and their passage into the inflamed tissue. In particular, it has recently become clear that P-Rex and Vav family Rac-GEFs in platelets are crucial for neutrophil recruitment.

SUMMARY

These recent findings have contributed greatly to our understanding of the signalling pathways that control neutrophil recruitment to sites of inflammation and have opened up new avenues of research in this field.

Identification of P-Rex1 as an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrogenic target for pulmonary fibrosis. Sci Rep. 2016;6:25785. [PMID: 27173636 PMCID: PMC4865757 DOI: 10.1038/srep25785]

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) leads to progressive and often irreversible loss of lung functions, posing a health threat with no effective cure. We examined P-Rex1, a PI3K- and G protein βγ-regulated guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) of the Rac small GTPase, for its potential involvement in PF. In a bleomycin-induced PF model, mice deficient in p-rex1 had well-preserved alveolar structure and survived significantly better than their wild type (WT) littermates. The p-rex1^−/− mice expressed significantly less proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and had reduced leukocyte infiltration in the lung tissue than their WT littermates. P-Rex1 was detected in lung fibroblasts of WT mice, and its genetic deletion attenuated TGFβ-1-stimulated lung fibroblast migration, Rac1 activation and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. The p-rex1^−/− mice showed significantly reduced pathological changes including the expression of α-smooth muscle actin, fibronectin and TGFβ-1 compared with their WT controls. Expression of a GEF-deficient P-Rex1 mutant effectively blocked Smads-dependent transcriptional activation, suggesting that P-Rex1 is a downstream mediator of TGFβ-1 signaling. These findings identify P-Rex1 as a novel player of PF, suggesting that targeting P-Rex1 may simultaneously block the inflammatory and fibrogenic processes of PF.

Small Rho GTPase-mediated actin dynamics at endothelial adherens junctions

VE-cadherin-based cell-cell junctions form the major restrictive barrier of the endothelium to plasma proteins and blood cells. The function of VE-cadherin and the actin cytoskeleton are intimately linked. Vascular permeability factors and adherent leukocytes signal through small Rho GTPases to tightly regulate actin cytoskeletal rearrangements in order to open and re-assemble endothelial cell-cell junctions in a rapid and controlled manner. The Rho GTPases are activated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), conferring specificity and context-dependent control of cell-cell junctions. Although the molecular mechanisms that couple cadherins to actin filaments are beginning to be elucidated, specific stimulus-dependent regulation of the actin cytoskeleton at VE-cadherin-based junctions remains unexplained. Accumulating evidence has suggested that depending on the vascular permeability factor and on the subcellular localization of GEFs, cell-cell junction dynamics and organization are differentially regulated by one specific Rho GTPase. In this Commentary, we focus on new insights how the junctional actin cytoskeleton is specifically and locally regulated by Rho GTPases and GEFs in the endothelium.

Recent insights into endothelial control of leukocyte extravasation

In the process of leukocyte migration from the circulation across the vascular wall, the crosstalk with endothelial cells that line the blood vessels is essential. It is now firmly established that in endothelial cells important signaling events are initiated upon leukocyte adhesion that impinge on the regulation of cell-cell contact and control the efficiency of transendothelial migration. In addition, several external factors such as shear force and vascular stiffness were recently identified as important regulators of endothelial signaling and, consequently, leukocyte transmigration. Here, I review recent insights into endothelial signaling events that are linked to leukocyte migration across the vessel wall. In this field, protein phosphorylation and Rho-mediated cytoskeletal dynamics are still widely studied using increasingly sophisticated mouse models. In addition, activation of tyrosine phosphatases, changes in endothelial cell stiffness as well as different vascular beds have all been established as important factors in endothelial signaling and leukocyte transmigration. Finally, I address less-well-studied but interesting components in the endothelium that also control transendothelial migration, such as the ephrins and their Eph receptors, that provide novel insights in the complexity associated with this process.

A local VE-cadherin and Trio-based signaling complex stabilizes endothelial junctions through Rac1

Endothelial cell-cell junctions maintain a restrictive barrier that is tightly regulated to allow dynamic responses to permeability-inducing angiogenic factors, as well as to inflammatory agents and adherent leukocytes. The ability of these stimuli to transiently remodel adherens junctions depends on Rho-GTPase-controlled cytoskeletal rearrangements. How the activity of Rho-GTPases is spatio-temporally controlled at endothelial adherens junctions by guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) is incompletely understood. Here, we identify a crucial role for the Rho-GEF Trio in stabilizing junctions based around vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin (also known as CDH5). Trio interacts with VE-cadherin and locally activates Rac1 at adherens junctions during the formation of nascent contacts, as assessed using a novel FRET-based Rac1 biosensor and biochemical assays. The Rac-GEF domain of Trio is responsible for the remodeling of junctional actin from radial into cortical actin bundles, a crucial step for junction stabilization. This promotes the formation of linear adherens junctions and increases endothelial monolayer resistance. Collectively, our data show the importance of spatio-temporal regulation of the actin cytoskeleton through Trio and Rac1 at VE-cadherin-based cell-cell junctions in the maintenance of the endothelial barrier.

Rab5-mediated VE-cadherin internalization regulates the barrier function of the lung microvascular endothelium

The small GTPase Rab5 has been well defined to control the vesicle-mediated plasma membrane protein transport to the endosomal compartment. However, its function in the internalization of vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, an important component of adherens junctions, and as a result regulating the endothelial cell polarity and barrier function remain unknown. Here, we demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) simulation markedly enhanced the activation and expression of Rab5 in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs), which is accompanied by VE-cadherin internalization. In parallel, LPS challenge also induced abnormal cell polarity and dysfunction of the endothelial barrier in HPMECs. LPS stimulation promoted the translocation of VE-cadherin from the plasma membrane to intracellular compartments, and intracellularly expressed VE-cadherin was extensively colocalized with Rab5. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated depletion of Rab5a expression attenuated the disruption of LPS-induced internalization of VE-cadherin and the disorder of cell polarity. Furthermore, knockdown of Rab5 inhibited the vascular endothelial hyperpermeability and protected endothelial barrier function from LPS injury, both in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that Rab5 is a critical mediator of LPS-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction, which is likely mediated through regulating VE-cadherin internalization. These findings provide evidence, implicating that Rab5a is a potential therapeutic target for preventing endothelial barrier disruption and vascular inflammation.

Rho GAPs and GEFs: controling switches in endothelial cell adhesion

Within blood vessels, endothelial cell–cell and cell–matrix adhesions are crucial to preserve barrier function, and these adhesions are tightly controlled during vascular development, angiogenesis, and transendothelial migration of inflammatory cells. Endothelial cellular signaling that occurs via the family of Rho GTPases coordinates these cell adhesion structures through cytoskeletal remodelling. In turn, Rho GTPases are regulated by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) and guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). To understand how endothelial cells initiate changes in the activity of Rho GTPases, and thereby regulate cell adhesion, we will discuss the role of Rho GAPs and GEFs in vascular biology. Many potentially important Rho regulators have not been studied in detail in endothelial cells. We therefore will first overview which GAPs and GEFs are highly expressed in endothelium, based on comparative gene expression analysis of human endothelial cells compared with other tissue cell types. Subsequently, we discuss the relevance of Rho GAPs and GEFs for endothelial cell adhesion in vascular homeostasis and disease.

Regulation and function of P-Rex family Rac-GEFs

The P-Rex family are Dbl-type guanine-nucleotide exchange factors for Rac family small G proteins. They are distinguished from other Rac-GEFs through their synergistic mode of activation by the lipid second messenger phosphatidyl inositol (3,4,5) trisphosphate and the Gβγ subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins, thus acting as coincidence detectors for phosphoinositide 3-kinase and G protein coupled receptor signaling. Work in genetically-modified mice has shown that P-Rex1 has physiological importance in the inflammatory response and the migration of melanoblasts during development, whereas P-Rex2 controls the dendrite morphology of cerebellar Purkinje neurons as well as glucose homeostasis in liver and adipose tissue. Deregulation of P-Rex1 and P-Rex2 expression occurs in many types of cancer, and P-Rex2 is frequently mutated in melanoma. Both GEFs promote tumor growth or metastasis. This review critically evaluates the P-Rex literature and tools available and highlights exciting recent developments and open questions.

Rac1 functions as a reversible tension modulator to stabilize VE-cadherin trans-interaction

The role of the RhoGTPase Rac1 in stabilizing mature endothelial adherens junctions (AJs) is not well understood. In this paper, using a photoactivatable probe to control Rac1 activity at AJs, we addressed the relationship between Rac1 and the dynamics of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin). We demonstrated that Rac1 activation reduced the rate of VE-cadherin dissociation, leading to increased density of VE-cadherin at AJs. This response was coupled to a reduction in actomyosin-dependent tension across VE-cadherin adhesion sites. We observed that inhibiting myosin II directly or through photo-release of the caged Rho kinase inhibitor also reduced the rate of VE-cadherin dissociation. Thus, Rac1 functions by stabilizing VE-cadherin trans-dimers in mature AJs by counteracting the actomyosin tension. The results suggest a new model of VE-cadherin adhesive interaction mediated by Rac1-induced reduction of mechanical tension at AJs, resulting in the stabilization of VE-cadherin adhesions.

P-Rex and Vav Rac-GEFs in platelets control leukocyte recruitment to sites of inflammation

The small GTPase Rac is required for neutrophil recruitment during inflammation, but its guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activators seem dispensable for this process, which led us to investigate the possibility of cooperation between Rac-GEF families. Thioglycollate-induced neutrophil recruitment into the peritoneum was more severely impaired in P-Rex1(-/-) Vav1(-/-) (P1V1) or P-Rex1(-/-) Vav3(-/-) (P1V3) mice than in P-Rex null or Vav null mice, suggesting cooperation between P-Rex and Vav Rac-GEFs in this process. Neutrophil transmigration and airway infiltration were all but lost in P1V1 and P1V3 mice during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pulmonary inflammation, with altered intercellular adhesion molecule 1-dependent slow neutrophil rolling and strongly reduced L- and E-selectin-dependent adhesion in airway postcapillary venules. Analysis of adhesion molecule expression, neutrophil adhesion, spreading, and migration suggested that these defects were only partially neutrophil-intrinsic and were not obviously involving vascular endothelial cells. Instead, P1V1 and P1V3 platelets recapitulated the impairment of LPS-induced intravascular neutrophil adhesion and recruitment, showing P-Rex and Vav expression in platelets to be crucial. Similarly, during ovalbumin-induced allergic inflammation, pulmonary recruitment of P1V1 and P1V3 eosinophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes was compromised in a platelet-dependent manner, and airway inflammation was essentially abolished, resulting in improved airway responsiveness. Therefore, platelet P-Rex and Vav family Rac-GEFs play important proinflammatory roles in leukocyte recruitment.

RhoGEFs in cell motility: novel links between Rgnef and focal adhesion kinase

Rho guanine exchange factors (GEFs) are a large, diverse family of proteins defined by their ability to catalyze the exchange of GDP for GTP on small GTPase proteins such as Rho family members. GEFs act as integrators from varied intra- and extracellular sources to promote spatiotemporal activity of Rho GTPases that control signaling pathways regulating cell proliferation and movement. Here we review recent studies elucidating roles of RhoGEF proteins in cell motility. Emphasis is placed on Dbl-family GEFs and connections to development, integrin signaling to Rho GTPases regulating cell adhesion and movement, and how these signals may enhance tumor progression. Moreover, RhoGEFs have additional domains that confer distinctive functions or specificity. We will focus on a unique interaction between Rgnef (also termed Arhgef28 or p190RhoGEF) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that controls migration properties of normal and tumor cells. This Rgnef-FAK interaction activates canonical GEF-dependent RhoA GTPase activity to govern contractility and also functions as a scaffold in a GEF-independent manner to enhance FAK activation. Recent studies have also brought to light the importance of specific regions within the Rgnef pleckstrin homology (PH) domain for targeting the membrane. As revealed by ongoing Rgnef-FAK investigations, exploring GEF roles in cancer will yield fundamental new information on the molecular mechanisms promoting tumor spread and metastasis.

TNF-induced endothelial barrier disruption: beyond actin and Rho

The decrease of endothelial barrier function is central to the long-term inflammatory response. A pathological alteration of the ability of endothelial cells to modulate the passage of cells and solutes across the vessel underlies the development of inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis and multiple sclerosis. The inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF) mediates changes in the barrier properties of the endothelium. TNF activates different Rho GTPases, increases filamentous actin and remodels endothelial cell morphology. However, inhibition of actin-mediated remodelling is insufficient to prevent endothelial barrier disruption in response to TNF, suggesting that additional molecular mechanisms are involved. Here we discuss, first, the pivotal role of Rac-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to regulate the integrity of endothelial cell-cell junctions and, second, the ability of endothelial adhesion receptors such as ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and PECAM-1, involved in leukocyte transendothelial migration, to control endothelial permeability to small molecules, often through ROS generation. These adhesion receptors regulate endothelial barrier function in ways both dependent on and independent of their engagement by immune cells, and orchestrate the crosstalk between leukocyte transendothelial migration and endothelial permeability during inflammation.

Endothelial barrier protection by local anesthetics: ropivacaine and lidocaine block tumor necrosis factor-α-induced endothelial cell Src activation

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary endothelial barrier dysfunction mediated in part by Src-kinase activation plays a crucial role in acute inflammatory disease. Proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), activate Src via phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase/Akt-dependent nitric oxide generation, a process initiated by recruitment of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase regulatory subunit p85 to TNF-receptor-1. Because amide-linked local anesthetics have well-established anti-inflammatory effects, the authors hypothesized that ropivacaine and lidocaine attenuate inflammatory Src signaling by disrupting the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase-Akt-nitric oxide pathway, thus blocking Src-dependent neutrophil adhesion and endothelial hyperpermeability.

METHODS

Human lung microvascular endothelial cells, incubated with TNFα in the absence or presence of clinically relevant concentrations of ropivacaine and lidocaine, were analyzed by Western blot, probing for phosphorylated/activated Src, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, Akt, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and caveolin-1. The effect of ropivacaine on TNFα-induced nitric oxide generation, co-immunoprecipitation of TNF-receptor-1 with p85, neutrophil adhesion, and endothelial barrier disruption were assessed.

RESULTS

Ropivacaine and lidocaine attenuated TNFα-induced Src activation (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 8.611 × 10 M for ropivacaine; IC50 = 5.864 × 10 M for lidocaine) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation (IC50 = 7.572 × 10 M for ropivacaine; IC50 = 6.377 × 10 M for lidocaine). Akt activation (n = 7; P = 0.006) and stimulus-dependent binding of TNF-receptor-1 and p85 (n = 6; P = 0.043) were blocked by 1 nM of ropivacaine. TNFα-induced neutrophil adhesion and disruption of endothelial monolayers via Src-dependent intercellular adhesion molecule-1- and caveolin-1-phosphorylation, respectively, were also attenuated.

CONCLUSIONS

Ropivacaine and lidocaine effectively blocked inflammatory TNFα signaling in endothelial cells by attenuating p85 recruitment to TNF-receptor-1. The resultant decrease in Akt, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and Src phosphorylation reduced neutrophil adhesion and endothelial hyperpermeability. This novel anti-inflammatory "side-effect" of ropivacaine and lidocaine may provide therapeutic benefit in acute inflammatory disease.

Neutrophils recruited by chemoattractants in vivo induce microvascular plasma protein leakage through secretion of TNF

Adherent neutrophils responding to chemoattractants release TNF in proximity of endothelial cell junctions to mediate microvascular leakage.

Microvascular plasma protein leakage is an essential component of the inflammatory response and serves an important function in local host defense and tissue repair. Mediators such as histamine and bradykinin act directly on venules to increase the permeability of endothelial cell (EC) junctions. Neutrophil chemoattractants also induce leakage, a response that is dependent on neutrophil adhesion to ECs, but the underlying mechanism has proved elusive. Through application of confocal intravital microscopy to the mouse cremaster muscle, we show that neutrophils responding to chemoattractants release TNF when in close proximity of EC junctions. In vitro, neutrophils adherent to ICAM-1 or ICAM-2 rapidly released TNF in response to LTB₄, C5a, and KC. Further, in TNFR^−/− mice, neutrophils accumulated normally in response to chemoattractants administered to the cremaster muscle or dorsal skin, but neutrophil-dependent plasma protein leakage was abolished. Similar results were obtained in chimeric mice deficient in leukocyte TNF. A locally injected TNF blocking antibody was also able to inhibit neutrophil-dependent plasma leakage, but had no effect on the response induced by bradykinin. The results suggest that TNF mediates neutrophil-dependent microvascular leakage. This mechanism may contribute to the effects of TNF inhibitors in inflammatory diseases and indicates possible applications in life-threatening acute edema.

Regulation of the endothelial barrier function: a filum granum of cellular forces, Rho-GTPase signaling and microenvironment

Although the endothelium is an extremely thin single-cell layer, it performs exceedingly well in preventing blood fluids from leaking into the surrounding tissues. However, specific pathological conditions can affect this cell layer, compromising the integrity of the barrier. Vascular leakage is a hallmark of many cardiovascular diseases and despite its medical importance, no specialized therapies are available to prevent it or reduce it. Small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) of the Rho family are known to be key regulators of various aspects of cell behavior and studies have shown that they can exert both positive and negative effects on endothelial barrier integrity. Moreover, extracellular matrix stiffness has now been implicated in the regulation of Rho-GTPase signaling, which has a direct impact on the integrity of endothelial junctions. However, knowledge about both the precise mechanism of this regulation and the individual contribution of the specific regulatory proteins remains fragmentary. In this review, we discuss recent findings concerning the balanced activities of Rho-GTPases and, in particular, aspects of the regulation of the endothelial barrier. We highlight the role of Rho-GTPases in the intimate relationships between biomechanical forces, microenvironmental influences and endothelial intercellular junctions, which are all interwoven in a beautiful filigree-like fashion.

Molecular pathways: P-Rex in cancer

P-Rex proteins are Rho/Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factors that participate in the regulation of several cancer-related cellular functions such as proliferation, motility, and invasion. Expectedly, a significant portion of these actions of P-Rex proteins must be related to their Rac regulatory properties. In addition, P-Rex proteins control signaling by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) route by interacting with PTEN and mTOR. The interaction with PTEN inhibits its phosphatase activity, leading to AKT activation. The interaction with mTOR may be important in nutrient-stimulated Rac activation and migration. In humans, several studies have implicated P-Rex proteins in the pathophysiology of various neoplasias. Thus, overexpression of P-Rex proteins has been linked to poor patient outcome in breast cancer and may facilitate metastatic dissemination of prostate cancer cells. In addition, whole-genome sequencing described P-Rex2 as a significantly mutated gene in melanoma. Furthermore, expression in melanocytes of mutated forms of P-Rex2 found in patients with melanoma showed the protumorigenic role of these P-Rex mutations in melanoma genesis. These findings open interesting opportunities for P-Rex targeting in cancer. Moreover, the implication of P-Rex partner proteins such as Rac, mTOR, or PTEN in cancer has opened the possibility of acting on P-Rex to restrict protumorigenic signaling through these pathways.

12/15-Lipoxygenase mediates high-fat diet-induced endothelial tight junction disruption and monocyte transmigration: a new role for 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid in endothelial cell dysfunction

A convincing body of evidence suggests that 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LO) plays a role in atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms of its involvement in the pathogenesis of this disease are not clear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand the mechanisms by which 12/15-LO mediates endothelial dysfunction. 15(S)-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15(S)-HETE), the major 12/15-LO metabolite of arachidonic acid (AA), induced endothelial barrier permeability via Src and Pyk2-dependent zonula occluden (ZO)-2 tyrosine phosphorylation and its dissociation from the tight junction complexes. 15(S)-HETE also stimulated macrophage adhesion to the endothelial monolayer in Src and Pyk2-dependent manner. Ex vivo studies revealed that exposure of arteries from WT mice to AA or 15(S)-HETE led to Src-Pyk2-dependent ZO-2 tyrosine phosphorylation, tight junction disruption, and macrophage adhesion, whereas the arteries from 12/15-LO knock-out mice are protected from these effects of AA. Feeding WT mice with a high-fat diet induced the expression of 12/15-LO in the arteries leading to tight junction disruption and macrophage adhesion and deletion of the 12/15-LO gene disallowed these effects. Thus, the findings of this study provide the first evidence of the role of 12/15-LO and its AA metabolite, 15(S)-HETE, in high-fat diet-induced endothelial tight junction disruption and macrophage adhesion, the crucial events underlying the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Tumor necrosis factor-α: regulation of renal function and blood pressure

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a pleiotropic cytokine that becomes elevated in chronic inflammatory states such as hypertension and diabetes and has been found to mediate both increases and decreases in blood pressure. High levels of TNF-α decrease blood pressure, whereas moderate increases in TNF-α have been associated with increased NaCl retention and hypertension. The explanation for these disparate effects is not clear but could simply be due to different concentrations of TNF-α within the kidney, the physiological status of the subject, or the type of stimulus initiating the inflammatory response. TNF-α alters renal hemodynamics and nephron transport, affecting both activity and expression of transporters. It also mediates organ damage by stimulating immune cell infiltration and cell death. Here we will summarize the available findings and attempt to provide plausible explanations for such discrepancies.

Rho guanine exchange factors in blood vessels: fine-tuners of angiogenesis and vascular function

The angiogenic cascade is a multi-step process essential for embryogenesis and other physiological and pathological processes. Rho family GTPases are binary molecular switches and serve as master regulators of various basic cellular processes. Rho GTPases are known to exert important functions in angiogenesis and vascular physiology. These functions demand a tight and context-specific control of cellular processes requiring superordinate control by a multitude of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). GEFs display various features enabling them to fine-tune the actions of Rho GTPases in the vasculature: (1) GEFs regulate specific steps of the angiogenic cascade; (2) GEFs show a spatio-temporally specific expression pattern; (3) GEFs differentially regulate endothelial function depending on their subcellular location; (4) GEFs mediate crosstalk between complex signaling cascades and (5) GEFs themselves are regulated by another layer of interacting proteins. The aim of this review is to provide an overview about the role of GEFs in regulating angiogenesis and vascular function and to point out current limitations as well as clinical perspectives.