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Yuki K, Vallon M, Ding J, Rada CC, Tang AT, Vilches-Moure JG, McCormick AK, Echeverri MFH, Alwahabi S, Braunger BM, Ergün S, Kahn ML, Kuo CJ. GPR124 regulates murine brain embryonic angiogenesis and BBB formation by an intracellular domain-independent mechanism. Development 2024:dev.202794. [PMID: 38682276 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The GPR124/RECK/WNT7 pathway is an essential regulator of CNS angiogenesis and blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. GPR124, a brain endothelial adhesion 7-pass transmembrane protein, associates with RECK, which binds and stabilizes newly synthesized WNT7, which is transferred to Frizzled (FZD) to initiate canonical b-catenin signaling. GPR124 remains enigmatic; while its extracellular domain (ECD) is essential, the poorly conserved intracellular domain (ICD) appears variably required in mammals versus zebrafish, potentially via adaptor protein bridging of GPR124/FZD ICDs. GPR124 ICD deletion impairs zebrafish angiogenesis, but paradoxically retains WNT7 signaling upon mammalian transfection. We thus investigated GPR124 ICD function by mouse deletion (Gpr124ΔC). Despite inefficiently expressed GPR124ΔC protein, Gpr124ΔC/ΔC mice could be born with normal cerebral cortex angiogenesis, versus Gpr124-/- embryonic lethality, forebrain avascularity and hemorrhage. Gpr124ΔC/ΔC vascular phenotypes were restricted to sporadic ganglionic eminence angiogenic defects, attributable to impaired GPR124ΔC protein expression. Further, Gpr124ΔC and recombinant GPR124 ECD rescued WNT7 signaling in culture upon brain endothelial Gpr124 knockdown. Thus, in mice, GPR124-regulated CNS forebrain angiogenesis and BBB function is exerted by ICD-independent functionality, extending the signaling mechanisms used by adhesion 7-pass transmembrane receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanako Yuki
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Mario Vallon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University Wuerzburg, 97070 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Jie Ding
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Cara C Rada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Alan T Tang
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - José G Vilches-Moure
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aaron K McCormick
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Maria F Henao Echeverri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Samira Alwahabi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Barbara M Braunger
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University Wuerzburg, 97070 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Süleyman Ergün
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University Wuerzburg, 97070 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Mark L Kahn
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Calvin J Kuo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Ding J, Lee SJ, Vlahos L, Yuki K, Rada CC, van Unen V, Vuppalapaty M, Chen H, Sura A, McCormick AK, Tomaske M, Alwahabi S, Nguyen H, Nowatzke W, Kim L, Kelly L, Vollrath D, Califano A, Yeh WC, Li Y, Kuo CJ. Therapeutic blood-brain barrier modulation and stroke treatment by a bioengineered FZD 4-selective WNT surrogate in mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2947. [PMID: 37268690 PMCID: PMC10238527 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37689-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Derangements of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) or blood-retinal barrier (BRB) occur in disorders ranging from stroke, cancer, diabetic retinopathy, and Alzheimer's disease. The Norrin/FZD4/TSPAN12 pathway activates WNT/β-catenin signaling, which is essential for BBB and BRB function. However, systemic pharmacologic FZD4 stimulation is hindered by obligate palmitoylation and insolubility of native WNTs and suboptimal properties of the FZD4-selective ligand Norrin. Here, we develop L6-F4-2, a non-lipidated, FZD4-specific surrogate which significantly improves subpicomolar affinity versus native Norrin. In Norrin knockout (NdpKO) mice, L6-F4-2 not only potently reverses neonatal retinal angiogenesis deficits, but also restores BRB and BBB function. In adult C57Bl/6J mice, post-stroke systemic delivery of L6-F4-2 strongly reduces BBB permeability, infarction, and edema, while improving neurologic score and capillary pericyte coverage. Our findings reveal systemic efficacy of a bioengineered FZD4-selective WNT surrogate during ischemic BBB dysfunction, with potential applicability to adult CNS disorders characterized by an aberrant blood-brain barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ding
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Sung-Jin Lee
- Surrozen, Inc. South San Francisco, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Lukas Vlahos
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, Columbia, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Kanako Yuki
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Cara C Rada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Vincent van Unen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | | | - Hui Chen
- Surrozen, Inc. South San Francisco, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Asmiti Sura
- Surrozen, Inc. South San Francisco, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Aaron K McCormick
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Madeline Tomaske
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Samira Alwahabi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Huy Nguyen
- Surrozen, Inc. South San Francisco, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - William Nowatzke
- Surrozen, Inc. South San Francisco, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Lily Kim
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Lisa Kelly
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Douglas Vollrath
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Andrea Califano
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, Columbia, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Wen-Chen Yeh
- Surrozen, Inc. South San Francisco, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Yang Li
- Surrozen, Inc. South San Francisco, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Calvin J Kuo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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Rada CC, Yuki K, Ding J, Kuo CJ. Regulation of the Blood-Brain Barrier in Health and Disease. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2023; 13:a041191. [PMID: 36987582 PMCID: PMC10691497 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
The neurovascular unit is a dynamic microenvironment with tightly controlled signaling and transport coordinated by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). A properly functioning BBB allows sufficient movement of ions and macromolecules to meet the high metabolic demand of the central nervous system (CNS), while protecting the brain from pathogenic and noxious insults. This review describes the main cell types comprising the BBB and unique molecular signatures of these cells. Additionally, major signaling pathways for BBB development and maintenance are highlighted. Finally, we describe the pathophysiology of BBB diseases, their relationship to barrier dysfunction, and identify avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara C Rada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Kanako Yuki
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Jie Ding
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Calvin J Kuo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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Rada CC, Mejia-Pena H, Grimsey NJ, Cordova IC, Olson J, Wozniak J, Gonzalez DJ, Nizet V, Trejo J. Heat shock protein 27 activity is linked to endothelial barrier recovery after proinflammatory GPCR-induced disruption. Sci Signal 2021; 14:eabc1044. [PMID: 34516752 PMCID: PMC8538426 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abc1044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Vascular inflammation causes endothelial barrier disruption and tissue edema. Several inflammatory mediators act through G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), including protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1), to elicit inflammatory responses. The activation of PAR1 by its ligand thrombin stimulates proinflammatory, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling that promotes endothelial barrier disruption. Through mass spectrometry phosphoproteomics, we identified heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), which exists as a large oligomer that binds to actin, as a promising candidate for the p38-mediated regulation of barrier integrity. Depletion of HSP27 by siRNA enhanced endothelial cell barrier permeability and slowed recovery after thrombin stimulation. We further showed that two effector kinases of p38 MAPK, MAPKAPK2 (MK2) and MAPKAPK3 (MK3), differentially phosphorylated HSP27 at Ser15, Ser78, and Ser82. Whereas inhibition of thrombin-stimulated p38 activation blocked HSP27 phosphorylation at all three sites, inhibition of MK2 reduced the phosphorylation of only Ser15 and Ser78. Inhibition of both MK2 and MK3 was necessary to attenuate Ser82 phosphorylation. Thrombin-stimulated p38-MK2-MK3 signaling induced HSP27 oligomer disassembly. However, a phosphorylation-deficient mutant of HSP27 exhibited defective oligomer disassembly and altered the dynamics of barrier recovery after thrombin stimulation. Moreover, blocking HSP27 oligomer reassembly with the small-molecule inhibitor J2 enhanced endothelial barrier permeability in vitro and vascular leakage in vivo in response to PAR1 activation. These studies reveal the distinct regulation of HSP27 phosphorylation and function induced by the GPCR-stimulated p38-MK2-MK3 signaling axis that controls the dynamics of endothelial barrier recovery in vitro and vascular leakage in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara C. Rada
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hilda Mejia-Pena
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Neil J. Grimsey
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30682, USA
| | - Isabel Canto Cordova
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Joshua Olson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jacob Wozniak
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - David J. Gonzalez
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Victor Nizet
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - JoAnn Trejo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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Grimsey NJ, Lin Y, Narala R, Rada CC, Mejia-Pena H, Trejo J. G protein-coupled receptors activate p38 MAPK via a non-canonical TAB1-TAB2- and TAB1-TAB3-dependent pathway in endothelial cells. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:5867-5878. [PMID: 30760523 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.007495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction is induced by inflammatory mediators including multiple G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists. However, the GPCR signaling pathways that promote endothelial dysfunction are incompletely understood. We previously showed that thrombin promotes endothelial barrier disruption through autophosphorylation and activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) via a non-canonical transforming growth factor-β-activated protein kinase-1-binding protein-1 (TAB1) and TAB2-dependent pathway rather than the canonical three-tiered kinase cascade. Here, we sought to determine whether other GPCR agonists stimulate p38 MAPK activation via this non-canonical pathway in human endothelial cells derived from different vascular beds. Using primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), HUVEC-derived EA.hy926 cells, and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs), we found that both non-canonical and canonical p38 activation pathways components are expressed in these various endothelial cell types, including TAB3, a structurally-related TAB2 homolog. Moreover, multiple GPCRs agonists, including thrombin, histamine, prostaglandin E2, and ADP, stimulated robust p38 autophosphorylation, whereas phosphorylation of the upstream MAPKs MAP kinase kinase 3 (MKK3) and MKK6, was virtually undetectable, indicating that non-canonical p38 activation may exist for other GPCRs. Indeed, in EA.hy926 cells, thrombin- and histamine-stimulated p38 activation depended on TAB1-TAB2, whereas in primary HUVECs, both TAB1-TAB2 and TAB1-TAB3 were required for p38 activation. In HDMECs, thrombin-induced p38 activation depended on TAB1-TAB3, but histamine-induced p38 activation required TAB1-TAB2. Moreover, thrombin- and histamine-stimulated interleukin-6 production required both TAB1-TAB2 and TAB1-TAB3 in HUVEC. We conclude that multiple GPCR agonists utilize non-canonical TAB1-TAB2 and TAB1-TAB3-dependent p38 activation to promote endothelial inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil J Grimsey
- From the Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Ying Lin
- From the Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Rachan Narala
- From the Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Cara C Rada
- From the Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Hilda Mejia-Pena
- From the Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - JoAnn Trejo
- From the Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093.
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Grimsey NJ, Rada CC, Narala R, Stephens BS, Mehta SJ, Lapek JJ, Handel TM, Zhang JJ, Gonzalez DJ, Trejo J. Endosomal GPCR signaling: Tyrosine Phosphorylation of a Peptide Linker in NEDD4‐2 Increases Ligase Activity to Promote p38 Proinflammatory Signaling. FASEB J 2018. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2018.32.1_supplement.687.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cara C. Rada
- PharmacologyUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCA
| | - Rachan Narala
- PharmacologyUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCA
| | - Bryan S. Stephens
- The Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCA
| | - Sohum J. Mehta
- PharmacologyUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCA
| | | | - Tracy M. Handel
- The Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCA
| | - Jin J. Zhang
- PharmacologyUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCA
| | | | - JoAnn Trejo
- PharmacologyUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCA
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Abstract
A complex integration of molecular and electrical signals is needed to transform a quiescent uterus into a contractile organ at the end of pregnancy. Despite the discovery of key regulators of uterine contractility, this process is still not fully understood. Transgenic mice provide an ideal model in which to study parturition. Previously, the only method to study uterine contractility in the mouse was ex vivo isometric tension recordings, which are suboptimal for several reasons. The uterus must be removed from its physiological environment, a limited time course of investigation is possible, and the mice must be sacrificed. The recent development of radiometric telemetry has allowed for longitudinal, real-time measurements of in vivo intrauterine pressure in mice. Here, the implantation of an intrauterine telemeter to measure pressure changes in the mouse uterus from mid-pregnancy until delivery is described. By comparing differences in pressures between wild type and transgenic mice, the physiological impact of a gene of interest can be elucidated. This technique should expedite the development of therapeutics used to treat myometrial disorders during pregnancy, including preterm labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara C Rada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis
| | | | | | - Sarah K England
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis;
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Abstract
Proper placental perfusion is essential for fetal exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste with the maternal circulation. Impairment of uteroplacental vascular function can lead to pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Potassium channels have been recognized as regulators of vascular proliferation, angiogenesis, and secretion of vasoactive factors, and their dysfunction may underlie pregnancy-related vascular diseases. Overexpression of one channel in particular, the small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel 3 (SK3), is known to increase vascularization in mice, and mice overexpressing the SK3 channel (SK3(T/T) mice) have a high rate of fetal demise and IUGR. Here, we show that overexpression of SK3 causes fetal loss through abnormal placental vascularization. We previously reported that, at pregnancy day 14, placentas isolated from SK3(T/T) mice are smaller than those obtained from wild-type mice. In this study, histological analysis reveals that SK3(T/-) placentas at this stage have abnormal placental morphology, and microcomputed tomography shows that these placentas have significantly larger and more blood vessels than those from wild-type mice. To identify the mechanism by which these vascularization defects occur, we measured levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), placental growth factor, and the soluble form of VEGF receptor 1 (sFlt-1), which must be tightly regulated to ensure proper placental development. Our data reveal that overexpression of SK3 alters systemic and placental ratios of the angiogenic factor VEGF to antiangiogenic factor sFlt-1 throughout pregnancy. Additionally, we observe increased expression of hypoxia-inducing factor 2α in SK3(T/-) placentas. We conclude that the SK3 channel modulates placental vascular development and fetal health by altering VEGF signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara C Rada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Basic Science Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Grace Murray
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Basic Science Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Sarah K England
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Basic Science Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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Odibo AO, Rada CC, Cahill AG, Goetzinger KR, Tuuli MG, Odibo L, Macones GA, England SK. First-trimester serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, free vascular endothelial growth factor, placental growth factor and uterine artery Doppler in preeclampsia. J Perinatol 2013; 33:670-4. [PMID: 23558430 DOI: 10.1038/jp.2013.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Revised: 02/01/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the first-trimester serum concentrations of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), free vascular endothelial growth factor (free-VEGF), placental growth factor (PlGF), and uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) in women who later developed preeclampsia (PE). STUDY DESIGN Prospectively collected maternal serum samples were evaluated for sFlt-1, free VEGF, and PlGF levels in 63 cases who later developed PE compared with 252 unaffected controls. Serum levels of these angiogenic factors were measured using Quantikine immunoassays. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the association between angiogenic factors and PE. The relationship between the angiogenic factors and mean maternal uterine artery PI was also evaluated. RESULT Maternal serum sFlt-1 levels were not significantly different between the cases and controls. Mean free-VEGF levels were significantly higher in women destined to develop PE compared with the controls (P=0.04), and mean PlGF levels were significantly lower in women who later developed PE (P=0.01). There was no significant correlation between maternal mean uterine artery PI and angiogenic factors evaluated. Receiver-operating characteristic curves revealed that none of the factors were clinically useful for prediction in the first trimester of PE. CONCLUSION Despite some significant differences in the first-trimester serum levels of angiogenic factors, our models suggest that these factors are not clinically useful for prediction in women who later developed PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- A O Odibo
- Divisions of Maternal Fetal Medicine and Ultrasound and Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
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Rada CC, Pierce SL, Nuno DW, Zimmerman K, Lamping KG, Bowdler NC, Weiss RM, England SK. Overexpression of the SK3 channel alters vascular remodeling during pregnancy, leading to fetal demise. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2012; 303:E825-31. [PMID: 22785240 PMCID: PMC3469615 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00165.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The maternal cardiovascular system undergoes hemodynamic changes during pregnancy via angiogenesis and vasodilation to ensure adequate perfusion of the placenta. Improper vascularization at the maternal-fetal interface can cause pregnancy complications and poor fetal outcomes. Recent evidence indicates that small conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel subtype 3 (SK3) contributes to vascular remodeling during pregnancy, and we hypothesized that abnormal SK3 channel expression would alter the ability of the maternal cardiovascular system to adapt to pregnancy demands and lead to poor fetal outcomes. We investigated this hypothesis using transgenic Kcnn3(tm1Jpad)/Kcnn3(tm1Jpad) (SK3(T/T)) mice that overexpress the channel. Isolated pressurized uterine arteries from nonpregnant transgenic SK3(T/T) mice had larger basal diameters and decreased agonist-induced constriction than those from their wild-type counterparts; however, non-receptor-mediated depolarization remained intact. In addition to vascular changes, heart rates and ejection fraction were increased, whereas end systolic volume was reduced in SK3(T/T) mice compared with their wild-type littermates. Uterine sonography of the fetuses on pregnancy day 14 showed a significant decrease in fetal size in SK3(T/T) compared with wild-type mice; thus, SK3(T/T) mice displayed an intrauterine growth-restricted phenotype. The SK3(T/T) mice showed decreased placental thicknesses and higher incidence of fetal loss, losing over half of their complement of pups by midgestation. These results establish that the SK3 channel contributes to both maternal and fetal outcomes during pregnancy and point to the importance of SK3 channel regulation in maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara C Rada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington Univ. School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Harrod JS, Rada CC, Pierce SL, England SK, Lamping KG. Altered contribution of RhoA/Rho kinase signaling in contractile activity of myometrium in leptin receptor-deficient mice. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2011; 301:E362-9. [PMID: 21558549 PMCID: PMC3154528 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00696.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In late gestation, enhanced myometrial contractility is mediated in part through increased Rho/Rho kinase. Since leptin, which is elevated in pregnancy and obesity, can directly depress myometrial function, we hypothesized that in leptin receptor-deficient mice, myometrial contractility would be greater in late pregnancy due to increased Rho/Rho kinase activity. To test this, we correlated RhoA and Rho kinase expression to contractility in myometrium from nonpregnant (NP) and late-pregnant (P18) heterozygous leptin receptor-deficient mice (db/+) vs. wild-type (WT) mice. In NP mice, KCl-induced contractions were similar between WT and db/+ myometrium. However, the Rho kinase-dependent component of the contractions was greater in db/+ mice, along with an increased expression of Rho kinase. KCl-induced contractions increased in strength in myometrium from P18 WT and db/+ compared with NP. Although the contribution of Rho kinase to contractions was unchanged in P18 WT mice, it was decreased in P18 db/+ mice. The decrease in Rho kinase-dependent contractions in P18 db/+ mice coincided with reduced RhoA and Rho kinase expression relative to NP db/+. Addition of high-fat-induced abnormal glucose utilization prevented changes in Rho kinase function. We conclude that abnormal leptin signaling increases expression and function of Rho kinase to maintain contractile function in NP myometrium and that during pregnancy the contribution of RhoA and Rho kinase expression to myometrial function is reduced despite an increase in myometrial contractility. Thus, other signaling mechanisms appear to compensate when leptin signaling is reduced to maintain contractile function during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy S Harrod
- Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 601 Highway 6 West, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA
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