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Gerrits T, Dijkstra KL, Bruijn JA, Scharpfenecker M, Bijkerk R, Baelde HJ. Antisense oligonucleotide-mediated terminal intron retention of endoglin: A potential strategy to inhibit renal interstitial fibrosis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167186. [PMID: 38642778 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167186] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
TGF-β is considered an important cytokine in the development of interstitial fibrosis in chronic kidney disease. The TGF-β co-receptor endoglin (ENG) tends to be upregulated in kidney fibrosis. ENG has two membrane bound isoforms generated via alternative splicing. Long-ENG was shown to enhance the extent of renal fibrosis in an unilateral ureteral obstruction mouse model, while short-ENG inhibited renal fibrosis. Here we aimed to achieve terminal intron retention of endoglin using antisense-oligo nucleotides (ASOs), thereby shifting the ratio towards short-ENG to inhibit the TGF-β1-mediated pro-fibrotic response. We isolated mRNA from kidney biopsies of patients with chronic allograft disease (CAD) (n = 12) and measured total ENG and short-ENG mRNA levels. ENG mRNA was upregulated 2.3 fold (p < 0.05) in kidneys of CAD patients compared to controls, while the percentage short-ENG of the total ENG mRNA was significantly lower (1.8 fold; p < 0.05). Transfection of ASOs that target splicing regulatory sites of ENG into TK173 fibroblasts led to higher levels of short-ENG (2 fold; p < 0.05). In addition, we stimulated these cells with TGF-β1 and measured a decrease in upregulation of ACTA2, COL1A1 and FN1 mRNA levels, and protein expression of αSMA, collagen type I, and fibronectin. These results show a potential for ENG ASOs as a therapy to reduce interstitial fibrosis in CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Gerrits
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands.
| | - Kyra L Dijkstra
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jan Anthonie Bruijn
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Marion Scharpfenecker
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Roel Bijkerk
- Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Hans J Baelde
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
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Gerrits T, Brouwer IJ, Dijkstra KL, Wolterbeek R, Bruijn JA, Scharpfenecker M, Baelde HJ. Endoglin Is an Important Mediator in the Final Common Pathway of Chronic Kidney Disease to End-Stage Renal Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010646. [PMID: 36614087 PMCID: PMC9820946 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010646] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a slow-developing, progressive deterioration of renal function. The final common pathway in the pathophysiology of CKD involves glomerular sclerosis, tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) stimulates the differentiation of fibroblasts towards myofibroblasts and the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, and thereby interstitial fibrosis. It has been shown that endoglin (ENG, CD105), primarily expressed in endothelial cells and fibroblasts, can function as a co-receptor of TGF signaling. In several human organs, endoglin tends to be upregulated when chronic damage and fibrosis is present. We hypothesize that endoglin is upregulated in renal interstitial fibrosis and plays a role in the progression of CKD. We first measured renal endoglin expression in biopsy samples obtained from patients with different types of CKD, i.e., IgA nephropathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), diabetic nephropathy (DN) and patients with chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD). We showed that endoglin is upregulated in CAD patients (p < 0.001) and patients with DN (p < 0.05), compared to control kidneys. Furthermore, the amount of interstitial endoglin expression correlated with eGFR (p < 0.001) and the amount of interstitial fibrosis (p < 0.001), independent of the diagnosis of the biopsies. Finally, we investigated in vitro the effect of endoglin overexpression in TGF-β stimulated human kidney fibroblasts. Overexpression of endoglin resulted in an enhanced ACTA2, CCN2 and SERPINE1 mRNA response (p < 0.05). It also increased the mRNA and protein upregulation of the ECM components collagen type I (COL1A1) and fibronectin (FN1) (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that endoglin is an important mediator in the final common pathway of CKD and could be used as a possible new therapeutic target to counteract the progression towards end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Gerrits
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Isabella J. Brouwer
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kyra L. Dijkstra
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ron Wolterbeek
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Medical Statistics, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan A. Bruijn
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marion Scharpfenecker
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hans J. Baelde
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-(0)-71-526-4788
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van de Lest NA, Bakker AE, Dijkstra KL, Zandbergen M, Heemskerk SAC, Wolterbeek R, Bruijn JA, Scharpfenecker M. Endothelial Endothelin Receptor A Expression Is Associated With Podocyte Injury and Oxidative Stress in Patients With Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. Kidney Int Rep 2021; 6:1939-1948. [PMID: 34307988 PMCID: PMC8258598 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2021.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The podocyte is thought to be the mainly affected cell type in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). However, recent studies have also indicated a role for glomerular endothelial cells and podocyte−endothelial crosstalk in FSGS development. An experimental model for podocyte injury showed that increased endothelin-1 (ET-1) signaling between podocytes and endothelial cells induces endothelial oxidative stress and subsequent podocyte loss. In the current study, we investigated endothelial endothelin receptor A (ETAR) expression in patients with FSGS and its association with podocyte injury and glomerular oxidative stress. Methods We selected 39 biopsy samples of patients with FSGS and 8 healthy control subjects, and stained them for ETAR, nephrin and 8-oxo-guanine, a DNA lesion caused by oxidative damage. Glomeruli with ETAR-positive endothelium and with nephrin loss were scored, and the 8-oxo-guanine−positive glomerular area was measured. Results The mean percentage of glomeruli with ETAR-positive endothelial cells in patients with FSGS was higher compared to that in healthy control subjects (52% vs. 7%; P < 0.001). The presence of glomerular ETAR-positive endothelium was strongly associated with nephrin loss both on the biopsy level (rho = 0.47; P < 0.01), as on the level of individual glomeruli (odds ratio = 2.0; P < 0.001). Moreover, glomeruli with ETAR-positive endothelium showed more 8-oxo-guanine−positive staining (1.9% vs. 2.4%; P = 0.037). Finally, 8-oxo-guanine positivity in glomeruli was associated with increased levels of proteinuria. Conclusion Taking together our findings, we show that ETAR is increased in glomerular endothelial cells of patients with FSGS and associated with podocyte damage and glomerular oxidative stress. These findings support the hypothesis that ET-1 signaling in glomerular endothelial cells contributes to disease development in patients with FSGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina A van de Lest
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Aimée E Bakker
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Kyra L Dijkstra
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Malu Zandbergen
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Ron Wolterbeek
- Medical Statistics, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jan A Bruijn
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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Formica C, Kunnen S, Dauwerse JG, Mullick AE, Dijkstra KL, Scharpfenecker M, Peters DJM. Reducing YAP expression in Pkd1 mutant mice does not improve the cystic phenotype. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:8876-8882. [PMID: 32592332 PMCID: PMC7412403 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is a highly conserved signalling route involved in organ size regulation. The final effectors of this pathway are two transcriptional coactivators, yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (WWTR1 or TAZ). Previously, we showed aberrant activation of the Hippo pathway in autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), suggesting that YAP/TAZ might play a role in disease progression. Using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) in a mouse model for ADPKD, we efficiently down-regulated Yap levels in the kidneys. However, we did not see any effect on cyst formation or growth. Moreover, the expression of YAP/TAZ downstream targets was not changed, while WNT and TGF-β pathways' downstream targets Myc, Acta2 and Vim were more expressed after Yap knockdown. Overall, our data indicate that reducing YAP levels is not a viable strategy to modulate PKD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Formica
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Kunnen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes G Dauwerse
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Kyra L Dijkstra
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Dorien J M Peters
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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5
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Formica C, Happé H, Veraar KA, Vortkamp A, Scharpfenecker M, McNeill H, Peters DJ. Four-jointed knock-out delays renal failure in an ADPKD model with kidney injury. J Pathol 2019; 249:114-125. [PMID: 31038742 PMCID: PMC6772084 DOI: 10.1002/path.5286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease is characterised by the development of fluid‐filled cysts in the kidneys which lead to end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). In the majority of cases, the disease is caused by a mutation in the Pkd1 gene. In a previous study, we demonstrated that renal injury can accelerate cyst formation in Pkd1 knock‐out (KO) mice. In that study, we found that after injury four‐jointed (Fjx1), an upstream regulator of planar cell polarity and the Hippo pathway, was aberrantly expressed in Pkd1 KO mice compared to WT. Therefore, we hypothesised a role for Fjx1 in injury/repair and cyst formation. We generated single and double deletion mice for Pkd1 and Fjx1, and we induced toxic renal injury using the nephrotoxic compound 1,2‐dichlorovinyl‐cysteine. We confirmed that nephrotoxic injury can accelerate cyst formation in Pkd1 mutant mice. This caused Pkd1 KO mice to reach ESRD significantly faster; unexpectedly, double KO mice survived significantly longer. Cyst formation was comparable in both models, but we found significantly less fibrosis and macrophage infiltration in double KO mice. Taken together, these data suggest that Fjx1 disruption protects the cystic kidneys against kidney failure by reducing inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, we describe, for the first time, an interesting (yet unidentified) mechanism that partially discriminates cyst growth from fibrogenesis. © 2019 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Formica
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hester Happé
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kimberley Am Veraar
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Vortkamp
- Department of Developmental Biology, Centre of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Helen McNeill
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada
| | - Dorien Jm Peters
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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6
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van de Lest NA, Zandbergen M, Wolterbeek R, Kreutz R, Trouw LA, Dorresteijn EM, Bruijn JA, Bajema IM, Scharpfenecker M, Chua JS. Glomerular C4d deposition can precede the development of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Kidney Int 2019; 96:738-749. [PMID: 31327475 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2019.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that complement plays a role in the pathogenesis of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Moreover, co-localization of IgM and C3 deposits with FSGS lesions has frequently been reported. Here, we investigated whether glomerular complement deposition precedes the development of FSGS and whether it represents local complement activation. Renal biopsies from 40 patients with primary FSGS, 84 patients with minimal change disease, and 10 healthy individuals were stained for C4d, C1q, and mannose-binding lectin. C4d deposits were also measured in renal allograft biopsies from 34 patients with native primary FSGS, 18 of whom subsequently developed recurrent FSGS. Lastly, we measured C4d deposits in the Munich Wistar Frömter rat model of FSGS. The prevalence of C4d-positive glomeruli was significantly higher among patients with FSGS (73%) compared to patients with minimal change disease (21%) and healthy individuals (10%). Moreover, segmental sclerosis was absent in 42% of C4d-positive glomeruli. Glomerular C1q was significantly more prevalent in FSGS compared to minimal change disease or healthy individuals, while mannose-binding lectin was infrequently observed. C4d deposition was significantly more prevalent in recurrent FSGS (72%) before the development of sclerotic lesions compared to control transplant samples (27%). Finally, at the onset of albuminuria but before the development of FSGS lesions, Munich Wistar Frömter rats had a significantly higher percentage of C4d-positive glomeruli (31%) compared to control rats (4%). Thus, glomerular C4d deposition can precede the development of FSGS, suggesting that complement activation may play a pathogenic role in the development of FSGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina A van de Lest
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Malu Zandbergen
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ron Wolterbeek
- Medical Statistics, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Reinhold Kreutz
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Germany
| | - Leendert A Trouw
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eiske M Dorresteijn
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan A Bruijn
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ingeborg M Bajema
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jamie S Chua
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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7
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Schulz A, Müller NV, van de Lest NA, Eisenreich A, Schmidbauer M, Barysenka A, Purfürst B, Sporbert A, Lorenzen T, Meyer AM, Herlan L, Witten A, Rühle F, Zhou W, de Heer E, Scharpfenecker M, Panáková D, Stoll M, Kreutz R. Analysis of the genomic architecture of a complex trait locus in hypertensive rat models links Tmem63c to kidney damage. eLife 2019; 8:42068. [PMID: 30900988 PMCID: PMC6478434 DOI: 10.7554/elife.42068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Unraveling the genetic susceptibility of complex diseases such as chronic kidney disease remains challenging. Here, we used inbred rat models of kidney damage associated with elevated blood pressure for the comprehensive analysis of a major albuminuria susceptibility locus detected in these models. We characterized its genomic architecture by congenic substitution mapping, targeted next-generation sequencing, and compartment-specific RNA sequencing analysis in isolated glomeruli. This led to prioritization of transmembrane protein Tmem63c as a novel potential target. Tmem63c is differentially expressed in glomeruli of allele-specific rat models during onset of albuminuria. Patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis exhibited specific TMEM63C loss in podocytes. Functional analysis in zebrafish revealed a role for tmem63c in mediating the glomerular filtration barrier function. Our data demonstrate that integrative analysis of the genomic architecture of a complex trait locus is a powerful tool for identification of new targets such as Tmem63c for further translational investigation. The human kidneys filter the entire volume of the blood about 300 times each day. This ability depends on specialized cells, known as podocytes, which wrap around some of the blood vessels in the kidney. These cells control which molecules leave the blood based on their size. Normally large molecules like proteins are blocked, while smaller molecules including waste products, toxins, excess water and salts pass through into the urine. If this filtration system is damaged, by high blood pressure, for example, it can lead to chronic kidney disease. A hallmark of this disease, often called CKD for short, is high levels of the protein albumin in the urine. Previous studies involving rats with high blood pressure have found several regions of the genome that contribute to high levels of albumin in the urine, including one on chromosome 6. However, this region contains several genes and it was unclear which genes affected the condition. Schulz et al. set out to narrow down the list and find specific genes that might contribute to elevated albumin in the urine of rats with high blood pressure. This search identified the gene for a protein called TMEM63c as a likely candidate. This protein spans the outer membrane of podocyte cells. Analysis of kidney biopsies showed that patients with chronic kidney disease also had low levels of this protein in their podocytes. Further experiments, this time in zebrafish, showed that reducing the activity of the gene for tmem63c led to damaged podocytes and a leakier filter in the kidneys. The results suggest that this gene plays an important role in the integrity of the kidneys filtration barrier. It is possible that faulty versions of this gene are behind some cases of chronic kidney disease. If this proves to be the case, a better understanding of the role of this gene may lead to new treatments for the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Schulz
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicola Victoria Müller
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Electrochemical Signaling in Development and Disease, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nina Anne van de Lest
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Eisenreich
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martina Schmidbauer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrei Barysenka
- Westfälische Wilhelms University, Genetic Epidemiology, Institute for Human Genetics, Münster, Germany
| | - Bettina Purfürst
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Core Facility Electron Microscopy, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anje Sporbert
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Advanced Light Microscopy, Berlin, Germany
| | - Theodor Lorenzen
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Laura Herlan
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anika Witten
- Westfälische Wilhelms University, Genetic Epidemiology, Institute for Human Genetics, Münster, Germany
| | - Frank Rühle
- Westfälische Wilhelms University, Genetic Epidemiology, Institute for Human Genetics, Münster, Germany
| | - Weibin Zhou
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, United States
| | - Emile de Heer
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marion Scharpfenecker
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela Panáková
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Monika Stoll
- Westfälische Wilhelms University, Genetic Epidemiology, Institute for Human Genetics, Münster, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Genetic Epidemiology and Statistical Genetics, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Reinhold Kreutz
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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8
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Lin C, Happé H, Veraar K, Scharpfenecker M, Peters DJ. The expression of somatostatin receptor 2 decreases during cyst growth in mice with polycystic kidney disease. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2018; 243:1092-1098. [PMID: 30261745 DOI: 10.1177/1535370218803893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPACT STATEMENT Somatostatin (SST) analogs have been shown to halt cyst growth and progression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease by several clinical trials. However, two studies suggest that the effect of the SST analog octreotide on kidney growth during the first year of treatment is reduced in the subsequent follow-ups and the kidney enlargement resumes. This biphasic change in kidney growth during octreotide treatment may be partially explained by alterations in SSTR2 expression. Here, we found that SSTR2 is mainly expressed in distal tubules and collecting ducts in murine kidneys, and the expression of SSTR2 decreases during cyst growth in two PKD mouse models. Our data may thus provide possible explanations for the lack of efficacy in long-term treatment with SST analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Lin
- 1 Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Hester Happé
- 1 Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Kimberley Veraar
- 2 Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Marion Scharpfenecker
- 2 Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Dorien Jm Peters
- 1 Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2300 RC, The Netherlands
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9
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Bus P, Gerrits T, Heemskerk SAC, Zandbergen M, Wolterbeek R, Bruijn JA, Baelde HJ, Scharpfenecker M. Endoglin Mediates Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A-Induced Endothelial Cell Activation by Regulating Akt Signaling. Am J Pathol 2018; 188:2924-2935. [PMID: 30248336 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In diabetic nephropathy, differential expression of growth factors leads to vascular changes, including endothelial cell activation, monocyte infiltration, and inflammation. Endoglin plays an important role in endothelial function and is also associated with inflammation. In the kidney, vascular endoglin expression is increased in animal models of renal injury, where it contributes to disease severity, possibly by promoting endothelial cell activation and inflammation. Herein, we investigated whether endoglin expression is associated with diabetic nephropathy. In addition, we examined whether reducing endothelial endoglin expression in vitro affects endothelial cell activation and monocyte adhesion and, if so, which intracellular pathways are involved. Finally, we analyzed whether glomerular endoglin expression is correlated with endothelial cell activation in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Endoglin levels were significantly increased in mice with type 1 diabetes compared with control mice. Reducing endoglin expression in cultured endothelial cells significantly impaired the vascular endothelial growth factor-A-induced up-regulation of activation markers and monocyte adhesion. This was mediated by increased phosphorylation of Akt, thereby inhibiting activating transcription factor 2 phosphorylation, which regulates vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1) gene transcription in these cells. Last, endoglin colocalized with VCAM-1 in the glomeruli of diabetic patients, glomerular VCAM-1 expression was significantly increased in these patients, and this increase in VCAM-1 expression was correlated with increased glomerular endoglin expression. Thus, targeting endoglin function may have therapeutic value in patients at risk for diabetic nephropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Bus
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Tessa Gerrits
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sharon A C Heemskerk
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Malu Zandbergen
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ron Wolterbeek
- Department of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jan A Bruijn
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hans J Baelde
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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10
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van de Lest NA, Zandbergen M, IJpelaar DHT, Wolterbeek R, Bruijn JA, Bajema IM, Scharpfenecker M. Nephrin Loss Can Be Used to Predict Remission and Long-term Renal Outcome in Patients With Minimal Change Disease. Kidney Int Rep 2017; 3:168-177. [PMID: 29340328 PMCID: PMC5762955 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2017.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Minimal change disease is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome. In general, patients with minimal change disease respond to corticosteroids and have excellent long-term renal survival. However, some patients have less favorable outcome. These patients are often thought to have progressed to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. We previously reported that a segmental loss of podocyte markers is present before the development of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in a rat model. Here, we investigated whether loss of podocyte marker nephrin can serve as a biomarker for predicting poor outcome in patients with minimal change disease. Methods We obtained 47 kidney biopsy samples from patients diagnosed with minimal change disease and stained sections with periodic acid−Schiff and for nephrin. Nephrin loss was scored by 2 independent researchers who were blinded to clinical outcome. Clinical data were collected retrospectively, and nephrin loss was correlated with clinical follow-up data. Results Nephrin loss was present in 34% of the biopsy samples. During follow-up, patients with nephrin loss achieved remission less frequently (61%) compared to patients without (96%) (P = 0.002). Moreover, 5-year eGFR was lower in the patients with renal nephrin loss. The risk of eGFR decreasing to < 60 ml/min per 1.73m2 increased with each percentage of glomeruli with nephrin loss (hazard ratio = 1.044, 95% confidence interval = 1.02−1.07). Conclusion These results indicate that nephrin loss in patients with minimal change disease can help predict both remission and long-term renal outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina A van de Lest
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Malu Zandbergen
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Daphne H T IJpelaar
- Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ron Wolterbeek
- Department of Medical Statistics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jan A Bruijn
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ingeborg M Bajema
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Bus P, Scharpfenecker M, Van Der Wilk P, Wolterbeek R, Bruijn JA, Baelde HJ. The VEGF-A inhibitor sFLT-1 improves renal function by reducing endothelial activation and inflammation in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes. Diabetologia 2017; 60. [PMID: 28620823 PMCID: PMC5552850 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-017-4322-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Animal models of diabetic nephropathy show increased levels of glomerular vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, and several studies have shown that inhibiting VEGF-A in animal models of diabetes can prevent albuminuria and glomerular hypertrophy. However, in those studies, treatment was initiated before the onset of kidney damage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether transfecting mice with the VEGF-A inhibitor sFlt-1 (encoding soluble fms-related tyrosine kinase 1) can reverse pre-existing kidney damage in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes. In addition, we investigated whether transfection with sFlt-1 can reduce endothelial activation and inflammation in these mice. METHODS Subgroups of untreated 8-week-old female C57BL/6J control (n = 5) and diabetic mice (n = 7) were euthanised 5 weeks after the start of the experiment in order to determine the degree of kidney damage prior to treatment with sFLT-1. Diabetes was induced with three i.p. injections of streptozotocin (75 mg/kg) administered at 2 day intervals. Diabetic nephropathy was then investigated in diabetic mice transfected with sFlt-1 (n = 6); non-diabetic, non-transfected control mice (n = 5); non-diabetic control mice transfected with sFlt-1(n = 10); and non-transfected diabetic mice (n = 6). These mice were euthanised at the end of week 15. Transfection with sFlt-1 was performed in week 6. RESULTS We found that transfection with sFlt-1 significantly reduced kidney damage by normalising albuminuria, glomerular hypertrophy and mesangial matrix content (i.e. glomerular collagen type IV protein levels) (p < 0.001). We also found that transfection with sFlt-1 reduced endothelial activation (p < 0.001), glomerular macrophage infiltration (p < 0.001) and glomerular TNF-α protein levels (p < 0.001). Finally, sFLT-1 decreased VEGF-A-induced endothelial activation in vitro (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION These results suggest that sFLT-1 might be beneficial in treating diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting VEGF-A, thereby reducing endothelial activation and glomerular inflammation, and ultimately reversing kidney damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Bus
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, L1Q, Room P0-107, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Marion Scharpfenecker
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, L1Q, Room P0-107, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Priscilla Van Der Wilk
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, L1Q, Room P0-107, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ron Wolterbeek
- Department of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jan A Bruijn
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, L1Q, Room P0-107, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hans J Baelde
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, L1Q, Room P0-107, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Russell NS, Floot B, van Werkhoven E, Schriemer M, de Jong-Korlaar R, Woerdeman LA, Stewart FA, Scharpfenecker M. Blood and lymphatic microvessel damage in irradiated human skin: The role of TGF-β, endoglin and macrophages. Radiother Oncol 2015; 116:455-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2015.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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Scharpfenecker M, Floot B, Russell NS, Coppes RP, Stewart FA. Thalidomide Ameliorates Inflammation and Vascular Injury but Aggravates Tubular Damage in the Irradiated Mouse Kidney. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2014; 89:599-606. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2014.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Revised: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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de Cortie K, Russell NS, Coppes RP, Stewart FA, Scharpfenecker M. Bone marrow-derived macrophages incorporate into the endothelium and influence vascular and renal function after irradiation. Int J Radiat Biol 2014; 90:769-77. [DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2014.920967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Scharpfenecker M, Floot B, de Cortie K, Coppes R, Russell N, Stewart F. SP-0218: Modulation of irradiation-induced inflammation and fibrotic signalling: Lessons from mouse models. Radiother Oncol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(15)32524-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Scharpfenecker M, Floot B, Russell NS, Stewart FA. The TGF-β co-receptor endoglin regulates macrophage infiltration and cytokine production in the irradiated mouse kidney. Radiother Oncol 2012; 105:313-20. [PMID: 23022174 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2012.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2012] [Revised: 08/16/2012] [Accepted: 08/17/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We previously showed that mice with reduced levels of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) co-receptor endoglin (Eng(+/-) mice) develop less fibrosis and vascular damage after kidney irradiation than their wild type (Eng(+/+) mice) littermates; however, the underlying mechanism was unclear. Results from current studies suggest that this occurs via modulation of the radiation-induced inflammatory response. MATERIALS AND METHODS Kidneys of Eng(+/+) and Eng(+/-) mice were irradiated with 16Gy. Mice were sacrificed at 20weeks after irradiation and gene expression and protein levels were analyzed. RESULTS Kidney irradiation triggered the infiltration of macrophages in both Eng(+/+) and Eng(+/-) mice, however, levels of macrophage-produced cytokines interleukin 1 beta (Il1b) and interleukin 6 (Il6) were reduced in irradiated Eng(+/-) compared to Eng(+/+) mice. Double immuno-stainings confirmed that IL-6 was produced by macrophages, whereas IL-1β was mainly detected in other cell types. Accordingly, inflammatory cell precursors derived from the bone marrow of Eng(+/-) mice showed impaired ability to express Il1b and Il6 compared to wild type mice. CONCLUSIONS Endoglin promotes kidney inflammation after irradiation by regulating macrophage infiltration and interleukin production, thereby promoting pathogenic changes after radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Scharpfenecker
- Division of Biological Stress Response, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Scharpfenecker M, Floot B, de Cortie K, Russell N, Stewart F. SP-0110 TGF-p SIGNALLING ORCHESTRATES LATE RENAL TOXICITY BY REGULATING THE IMMUNE RESPONSE AFTER IRRADIATION. Radiother Oncol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(12)70449-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Scharpfenecker M, Floot B, Korlaar R, Russell NS, Stewart FA. ALK1 heterozygosity delays development of late normal tissue damage in the irradiated mouse kidney. Radiother Oncol 2011; 99:349-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2011.05.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2011] [Revised: 05/24/2011] [Accepted: 05/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Scharpfenecker M, Floot B, Stewart F, Russell N. MECHANISMS OF LATE MICRO-VASCULAR DAMAGE IN IRRADIATED BREAST CANCER PATIENTS. Radiother Oncol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(11)71747-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Scharpfenecker M, Floot B, Russell N, Stewart F. MECHANISMS OF LATE VASCULAR DAMAGE AFTER RADIOTHERAPY. Radiother Oncol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(11)71735-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Liu Z, Kobayashi K, van Dinther M, van Heiningen SH, Valdimarsdottir G, van Laar T, Scharpfenecker M, Löwik CWGM, Goumans MJ, Ten Dijke P, Pardali E. VEGF and inhibitors of TGFbeta type-I receptor kinase synergistically promote blood-vessel formation by inducing alpha5-integrin expression. J Cell Sci 2009; 122:3294-302. [PMID: 19706683 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.048942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) are potent regulators of angiogenesis. How VEGF and TGFbeta signaling pathways crosstalk is not well understood. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of the TGFbeta type-I-receptor inhibitors (SB-431542 and LY-2157299) and VEGF on endothelial cell (EC) function and angiogenesis. We show that SB-431542 dramatically enhances VEGF-induced formation of EC sheets from fetal mouse metatarsals. Sub-optimal doses of VEGF and SB-431542 synergistically induced EC migration and sprouting of EC spheroids, whereas overexpression of a constitutively active form of TGFbeta type-I receptor had opposite effects. Using quantitative PCR, we demonstrated that VEGF and SB-431542 synergistically upregulated the mRNA expression of genes involved in angiogenesis, including the integrins alpha5 and beta3. Specific downregulation of alpha5-integrin expression or functional blocking of alpha5 integrin with a specific neutralizing antibody inhibited the cooperative effect of VEGF and SB-431542 on EC sprouting. In vivo, LY-2157299 induced angiogenesis and enhanced VEGF- and basic-fibroblast-growth-factor-induced angiogenesis in a Matrigel-plug assay, whereas adding an alpha5-integrin-neutralizing antibody to the Matrigel selectively inhibited this enhanced response. Thus, induction of alpha5-integrin expression is a key determinant by which inhibitors of TGFbeta type-I receptor kinase and VEGF synergistically promote angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Liu
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
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Scharpfenecker M, Floot B, Russell NS, Ten Dijke P, Stewart FA. Endoglin haploinsufficiency reduces radiation-induced fibrosis and telangiectasia formation in mouse kidneys. Radiother Oncol 2009; 92:484-91. [PMID: 19576647 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2009.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2009] [Revised: 06/02/2009] [Accepted: 06/05/2009] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Endoglin is a transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) co-receptor mainly expressed in dividing endothelial cells. It regulates cell proliferation and survival and is upregulated at sites of vessel repair. Mutations in endoglin have been linked to the vascular disease hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). HHT patients display dilated capillaries (telangiectasia) that are prone to rupture. Cancer patients receiving radiotherapy develop similar vascular damage in normal tissues lying in the irradiation field. If located in the mucosa, irradiation-induced telangiectasia can lead to severe bleeding. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the role of endoglin in radiation-induced telangiectasia formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Kidneys of endoglin heterozygous (Eng(+/-)) or wild type mice were irradiated with 16 Gy. Mice were sacrificed after 20 weeks and changes in gene expression and protein levels were analysed. RESULTS Expression of TGF-beta target genes involved in radiation-induced fibrosis and fibrosis development in the kidney decreased in Eng(+/-) compared to wild type mice. Unexpectedly, Eng(+/-) mice also displayed reduced telangiectasia formation in the irradiated kidney. CONCLUSIONS Endoglin plays an important role in the development of irradiation-induced normal tissue damage. Future studies will show whether interfering with endoglin functions protects tissues from late radiation toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Scharpfenecker
- Department of Experimental Therapy, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Scharpfenecker M, Kruse JJCM, Sprong D, Russell NS, Ten Dijke P, Stewart FA. Ionizing radiation shifts the PAI-1/ID-1 balance and activates notch signaling in endothelial cells. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2009; 73:506-13. [PMID: 19147015 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2008.09.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2008] [Revised: 09/05/2008] [Accepted: 09/26/2008] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and Notch signaling pathways are important regulators of vascular homeostasis and vessel remodeling; mutations in these pathways can lead to vascular disorders. Similar vascular phenotypes develop in the normal tissues of cancer patients as a long-term effect of radiotherapy. Irradiation most severely affects the capillaries, which become leaky and dilated and might eventually rupture. To investigate the mechanism of such capillary damage, we studied the effect of TGF-beta and Notch signaling in microvascular endothelial cells. METHODS AND MATERIALS Human microvascular endothelial cells were irradiated with 5 or 10 Gy and activation of TGF-beta and Notch signaling pathways was assessed by biochemical methods and a cell migration assay. RESULTS Ionizing radiation induced Smad2 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation and increased mRNA and protein expression of the activin-like kinase 5 (ALK5) target gene plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). At the same time, we observed diminished Smad1/5/8 activation and downregulation of the ALK1 downstream target, inhibitor of DNA binding-1 (ID-1). We also measured an upregulation of the Notch ligand Jagged-1 and the target gene Hey1. Decreased inhibitor of DNA binding-1 levels coincided with a reduced ability of the cells to migrate. CONCLUSION Ionizing radiation shifts the balance from ALK1 to ALK5 signaling and activates the Notch pathway in endothelial cells. This combination of anti-angiogenic signals contributes to reduced cell migration after irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Scharpfenecker
- Department of Experimental Therapy, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Scharpfenecker M, van Dinther M, Liu Z, van Bezooijen RL, Zhao Q, Pukac L, Löwik CWGM, ten Dijke P. BMP-9 signals via ALK1 and inhibits bFGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation and VEGF-stimulated angiogenesis. J Cell Sci 2007; 120:964-72. [PMID: 17311849 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.002949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 421] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic studies in mice and humans have shown that the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) type-I receptor activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1) and its co-receptor endoglin play an important role in vascular development and angiogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that ALK1 is a signalling receptor for bone morphogenetic protein-9 (BMP-9) in endothelial cells (ECs). BMP-9 bound with high affinity to ALK1 and endoglin, and weakly to the type-I receptor ALK2 and to the BMP type-II receptor (BMPR-II) and activin type-II receptor (ActR-II) in transfected COS cells. Binding of BMP-9 to ALK2 was greatly facilitated when BMPR-II or ActR-II were co-expressed. Whereas BMP-9 predominantly bound to ALK1 and BMPR-II in ECs, it bound to ALK2 and BMPR-II in myoblasts. In addition, we observed binding of BMP-9 to ALK1 and endoglin in glioblastoma cells. BMP-9 activated Smad1 and/or Smad5, and induced ID1 protein and endoglin mRNA expression in ECs. Furthermore, BMP-9 was found to inhibit basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-stimulated proliferation and migration of bovine aortic ECs (BAECs) and to block vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenesis. Taken together, these results suggest that BMP-9 is a physiological ALK1 ligand that plays an important role in the regulation of angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Scharpfenecker
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Fiedler U, Reiss Y, Scharpfenecker M, Grunow V, Koidl S, Thurston G, Gale NW, Witzenrath M, Rosseau S, Suttorp N, Sobke A, Herrmann M, Preissner KT, Vajkoczy P, Augustin HG. Angiopoietin-2 sensitizes endothelial cells to TNF-alpha and has a crucial role in the induction of inflammation. Nat Med 2006; 12:235-9. [PMID: 16462802 DOI: 10.1038/nm1351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 691] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2005] [Accepted: 12/11/2005] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The angiopoietins Ang-1 and Ang-2 have been identified as ligands of the receptor tyrosine kinase Tie-2 (refs. 1,2). Paracrine Ang-1-mediated activation of Tie-2 acts as a regulator of vessel maturation and vascular quiescence. In turn, the antagonistic ligand Ang-2 acts by an autocrine mechanism and is stored in endothelial Weibel-Palade bodies from where it can be rapidly released upon stimulation. The rapid release of Ang-2 implies functions of the angiopoietin-Tie system beyond its established role during vascular morphogenesis as a regulator of rapid vascular responses. Here we show that mice deficient in Ang-2 (encoded by the gene Angpt2) cannot elicit an inflammatory response in thioglycollate-induced or Staphylococcus aureus-induced peritonitis, or in the dorsal skinfold chamber model. Recombinant Ang-2 restores the inflammation defect in Angpt2(-/-) mice. Intravital microscopy showed normal TNF-alpha-induced leukocyte rolling in the vasculature of Angpt2(-/-)mice, but rolling cells did not firmly adhere to activated endothelium. Cellular experiments showed that Ang-2 promotes adhesion by sensitizing endothelial cells toward TNF-alpha and modulating TNF-alpha-induced expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules. Together, these findings identify Ang-2 as an autocrine regulator of endothelial cell inflammatory responses. Ang-2 thereby acts as a switch of vascular responsiveness exerting a permissive role for the activities of proinflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Fiedler
- Department of Vascular Biology and Angiogenesis Research, Tumor Biology Center, Freiburg 79106, Germany
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Scharpfenecker M, Fiedler U, Reiss Y, Augustin HG. The Tie-2 ligand angiopoietin-2 destabilizes quiescent endothelium through an internal autocrine loop mechanism. J Cell Sci 2005; 118:771-80. [PMID: 15687104 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.01653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 292] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The angiopoietins Ang-1 and Ang-2 have been identified as ligands of the endothelial receptor tyrosine kinase Tie-2, which controls vascular assembly and endothelial quiescence. The largely complementary phenotypes of Ang-1-deficient mice and Ang-2-overexpressing mice have led to an antagonistic model in which Ang-1 acts as Tie-2-activating agonist and Ang-2 acts as a Tie-2-inhibiting antagonist. To date, no mechanistic equivalent of the antagonistic Ang-1/Ang-2 model has been established and the mechanisms of Ang-2 function in particular remain mysterious. We have studied the effector functions of Ang-1 and Ang-2 on quiescent endothelial cells using a three-dimensional co-culture model of endothelial cells and smooth-muscle cells. Endothelial-cell monolayer integrity in this model is dependent on Tie-2 signaling, as evidenced by detaching endothelial cells following exposure to the small molecular weight Tie-2 inhibitor A-422885.66, which cannot be overcome by exogenous Ang-1. Accordingly, exogenous Ang-2 rapidly destabilizes the endothelial layer, which can be observed within 30-60 minutes and leads to prominent endothelial-cell detachment within 4 hours. Exogenous Ang-2-mediated endothelial-cell detachment can be rescued by Ang-1, soluble Tie-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Similar findings were obtained in an umbilical-vein explant model. Ang-2 is mainly produced by endothelial cells and therefore acts primarily in an autocrine manner. Thus, stimulated release of endogenous Ang-2 or overexpression of Ang-2 in endothelial cells perturbs co-culture spheroid integrity, which can be rescued by exogenous Ang-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor. However, autocrine Ang-2-mediated endothelial-cell detachment cannot be blocked by soluble Tie-2. Taken together, the data demonstrate for the first time the antagonistic Ang-1/Ang-2 concept in a defined cellular model and identify Ang-2 as a rapidly acting autocrine regulator of the endothelium that acts through an internal autocrine loop mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Scharpfenecker
- Department of Vascular Biology and Angiogenesis Research, Tumor Biology Center, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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Scharpfenecker M, Reiss Y, Fiedler U, Thurston G, Gale N, Augustin HG. ANGIOPOIETIN-2 IS AN AUTOCRINE REGULATOR OF ENDOTHELIAL CELL RESPONSIVENESS AND VASCULAR HOMEOSTASIS. Cardiovasc Pathol 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2004.03.502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Fiedler U, Scharpfenecker M, Koidl S, Hegen A, Augustin HG. THE TIE2-LIGAND ANGIOPOIETIN-2 IS STORED IN AND RAPIDLY RELEASED UPON STIMULATION FROM ENDOTHELIAL CELL WEIBEL-PALADE BODIES. Cardiovasc Pathol 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2004.03.495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Fiedler U, Scharpfenecker M, Koidl S, Hegen A, Grunow V, Schmidt JM, Kriz W, Thurston G, Augustin HG. The Tie-2 ligand angiopoietin-2 is stored in and rapidly released upon stimulation from endothelial cell Weibel-Palade bodies. Blood 2004; 103:4150-6. [PMID: 14976056 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2003-10-3685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 530] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The angiopoietins Ang-1 and Ang-2 have been identified as ligands with opposing functions of the receptor tyrosine kinase Tie-2 regulating endothelial cell survival and vascular maturation. Ang-1 acts in a paracrine agonistic manner, whereas Ang-2 appears to act primarily as an autocrine antagonistic regulator. To shed further light on the complexity of autocrine/paracrine agonistic/antagonistic functions of the angiopoietin/Tie-2 system, we have studied Ang-2 synthesis and secretion in different populations of wild-type and retrovirally Ang-2-transduced endothelial cells. Endogenous and overexpressed endothelial cell Ang-2 is expressed in a characteristic granular pattern indicative of a cytoplasmic storage granule. Light and electron microscopic double staining revealed Ang-2 colocalization with von Willebrand factor, identifying Ang-2 as a Weibel-Palade body molecule. Costaining with P-selectin showed that storage of Ang-2 and P-selectin in Weibel-Palade bodies is mutually exclusive. Stored Ang-2 has a long half-life of more than 18 hours and can be secreted within minutes of stimulation (eg, by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate [PMA], thrombin, and histamine). Collectively, the identification of Ang-2 as a stored, rapidly available molecule in endothelial cells strongly suggests functions of the angiopoietin/Tie-2 system beyond the established roles during angiogenesis likely to be involved in rapid vascular homeostatic reactions such as inflammation and coagulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Fiedler
- Department of Vascular Biology and Angiogenesis Research Tumor Biology Center, Breisacher Str 117, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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Jäkel T, Scharpfenecker M, Jitrawang P, Rückle J, Kliemt D, Mackenstedt U, Hongnark S, Khoprasert Y. Reduction of transmission stages concomitant with increased host immune responses to hypervirulent Sarcocystis singaporensis, and natural selection for intermediate virulence. Int J Parasitol 2001; 31:1639-47. [PMID: 11730791 DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7519(01)00289-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Parasite virulence (pathogenicity depending on inoculum size) and host immune reactions were examined for the apicomplexan protozoan Sarcocystis singaporensis. This parasite is endemic in southeastern Asia and multiplies as a proliferation (merozoite) and transmission stage (bradyzoite) in rats. Virulence in wild brown rats of parasites freshly isolated in the wild (wild-type) was surprisingly constant within the endemic area and showed an intermediate level. In contrast, serially passaged parasites either became avirulent or virulence increased markedly (hypervirulence). Production of transmission stages was maximal for the wild-type whereas numbers were significantly reduced for hypervirulent and avirulent (shown in a previous study) parasites. Analyses of B and T cell immunity revealed that immune responses of WKY rats to the transmission stage were significantly higher for hypervirulent than for wild-type parasites. These results suggest that it is the immune system of the host that is not only responsible for reduction of transmission stages in individual rats, but also could act as a selective force that maintains intermediate virulence at the population level because reduction of muscle stages challenges transmission of S. singaporensis to the definitive host. Collectively, the presented data support evolutionary theory, which predicts intermediate rates of parasite growth in nature and an 'arms race' between host immunity and parasite proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Jäkel
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, University of Hohenheim, Emil Wolff Strasse 34, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany.
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