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Zhao W, Wang L, Wang Y, Yuan H, Zhao M, Lian H, Ma S, Xu K, Li Z, Yu G. Injured Endothelial Cell: A Risk Factor for Pulmonary Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108749. [PMID: 37240093 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108749] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathological features of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) are the abnormal activation and proliferation of myofibroblasts and the extraordinary deposition of the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, the pathogenesis of PF is still indistinct. In recent years, many researchers have realized that endothelial cells had a crucial role in the development of PF. Studies have demonstrated that about 16% of the fibroblasts in the lung tissue of fibrotic mice were derived from endothelial cells. Endothelial cells transdifferentiated into mesenchymal cells via the endothelial-mesenchymal transition (E(nd)MT), leading to the excessive proliferation of endothelial-derived mesenchymal cells and the accumulation of fibroblasts and ECM. This suggested that endothelial cells, a significant component of the vascular barrier, played an essential role in PF. Herein, this review discusses E(nd)MT and its contribution to the activation of other cells in PF, which could provide new ideas for further understanding the source and activation mechanism of fibroblasts and the pathogenesis of PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiming Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Lan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Yaxuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Hongmei Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Mengxia Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Hui Lian
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Shuaichen Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Kai Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Zhongzheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Guoying Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
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Song BW, Kim S, Kim R, Jeong S, Moon H, Kim H, Vasileva EA, Mishchenko NP, Fedoreyev SA, Stonik VA, Lee MY, Kim J, Kim HK, Han J, Chang W. Regulation of Inflammation-Mediated Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition with Echinochrome a for Improving Myocardial Dysfunction. Mar Drugs 2022; 20. [PMID: 36547903 DOI: 10.3390/md20120756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a process by which endothelial cells (ECs) transition into mesenchymal cells (e.g., myofibroblasts and smooth muscle cells) and induce fibrosis of cells/tissues, due to ischemic conditions in the heart. Previously, we reported that echinochrome A (EchA) derived from sea urchin shells can modulate cardiovascular disease by promoting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity; however, the mechanism underlying these effects was unclear. We investigated the role of EchA in the EndMT process by treating human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) with TGF-β2 and IL-1β, and confirmed the regulation of cell migration, inflammatory, oxidative responses and mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, we developed an EndMT-induced myocardial infarction (MI) model to investigate the effect of EchA in vivo. After EchA was administered once a day for a total of 3 days, the histological and functional improvement of the myocardium was investigated to confirm the control of the EndMT. We concluded that EchA negatively regulates early or inflammation-related EndMT and reduces the myofibroblast proportion and fibrosis area, meaning that it may be a potential therapy for cardiac regeneration or cardioprotection from scar formation and cardiac fibrosis due to tissue granulation. Our findings encourage the study of marine bioactive compounds for the discovery of new therapeutics for recovering ischemic cardiac injuries.
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Hsu PC, Huang JC, Tsai WC, Hung WW, Chang WA, Wu LY, Chang CY, Tsai YC, Hsu YL. Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily Member 21 Induces Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Coronary Artery Endothelium of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061282. [PMID: 35740304 PMCID: PMC9220259 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061282] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an increasing threat to human health and regarded as an important public issue. Coronary artery disease is one of the main causes of death in type 2 DM patients. However, the effect of hyperglycemia on coronary artery endothelial cells (CAECs) and the pathophysiologic mechanisms are still not well-explored. This study aims to explore the signal pathway and novel biomarkers of injury of CAECs in DM in understanding the microenvironment changes and mechanisms of diabetic heart disease. Next-generation sequence (NGS) and bioinformatics analysis to analyze the CAECs of one type 2 DM patient and one normal individual was performed, and it was found that tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 21 (TNFRSF21) was a soluble factor in circulating system. Further experiments confirmed that advanced glycation end products (AGEs), the metabolite derived by hyperglycemia, increased the expression of TNFRSF21 in CAECs. TNFRSF21 induced endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) in CAECs, resulting in increased permeability of CAECs. In addition, levels of serum TNFRSF21 were higher in type 2 DM patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) than those without LVH. Serum TNFRSF21 levels were also positively correlated with the LV mass index and negatively with LV systolic function. Serum TNFRSF21 levels were associated with changes in cardiac structure and function in patients with type 2 DM. In conclusion, TNFRSF21 plays a pathogenic role in heart disease of type 2 DM, and can be used as a biomarker of the impairment of cardiac structure and function in type 2 DM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Chao Hsu
- Division of Cardiology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (P.-C.H.); (W.-C.T.)
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (J.-C.H.); (W.-A.C.)
| | - Jiun-Chi Huang
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (J.-C.H.); (W.-A.C.)
- Division of Nephrology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chung Tsai
- Division of Cardiology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (P.-C.H.); (W.-C.T.)
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (J.-C.H.); (W.-A.C.)
| | - Wei-Wen Hung
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Wei-An Chang
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (J.-C.H.); (W.-A.C.)
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Yu Wu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Chao-Yuan Chang
- Department of Anatomy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Yi-Chun Tsai
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (J.-C.H.); (W.-A.C.)
- Division of Nephrology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Division of General Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Liquid Biopsy and Cohort Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-C.T.); (Y.-L.H.); Tel.: +886-7-312-1101-5029 (Y.-C.T.); +886-7-312-1101-2015 (Y.-L.H.)
| | - Ya-Ling Hsu
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-C.T.); (Y.-L.H.); Tel.: +886-7-312-1101-5029 (Y.-C.T.); +886-7-312-1101-2015 (Y.-L.H.)
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Dergilev KV, Beloglazova IB, Tsokolaeva ZI, Vasilets YD, Parfenova EV. Deficiency of Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor Is Associated with the Development of Perivascular Fibrosis in Mouse Heart. Bull Exp Biol Med 2022. [PMID: 35622258 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-022-05480-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
It was suggested that the urokinase system plays a certain role in the regulation of activity of the endothelial-mesenchymal transition and in the development of perivascular fibrosis. Urokinase (uPA), the key component of the urokinase system, is a serine protease that binds to its receptor on the cell surface (uPAR) and affects the cell microenvironment components through the formation of plasmin, remodeling of the extracellular matrix, release of growth factors, and initiation of intracellular signals. The heart of PLAUR gene knockout C57BL/129 (uPAR-/-) mice showed signs of vasculopathy: reduced number of capillaries/arterioles, signs of endothelial-mesenchymal transition in endothelial cells, vascular wall remodeling, and deposition of extracellular matrix components. These changes were combined with enhanced expression of urokinase and active forms of TGF-β1. Apparently, uPAR is a part of a multicomponent system that provides multifaceted regulatory effects on the components of forming vessels and vascular wall cells, which allows considering it as a possible target for targeted antifibrotic therapy.
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Liu T, Zhao J, Lin C. Sprouty-related proteins with EVH1 domain (SPRED2) prevents high-glucose induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition and endothelial injury by suppressing MAPK activation. Bioengineered 2022; 13:13882-13892. [PMID: 35707829 PMCID: PMC9275976 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2086351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes, and the leading cause of blindness in adults. Sprouty-related proteins with EVH1 domain (SPRED2) play an important role in diabetes and are closely related to the lens and eye morphogenesis. This study attempted to investigate the role and related mechanism of SPRED2 in DR. DR rat model was established by administration streptozocin. Human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) were treated with high glucose (HG) to mimic DR. The results showed that SPRED2 expression was decreased in the retinal tissues of DR rats and HG-treated HRECs. MTT assay and flow cytometry data showed that SPRED2 overexpression reduced cell viability of HG-treated HRECs. SPRED2 overexpression enhanced Caspase-3 activity and promoted apoptosis of HG-treated HRECs. Furthermore, the expressions of endothelial cell markers CD31 and E-cad were down-regulated, whereas the expressions of mesenchymal cell markers FSP1, SM22, and α-SMA were up-regulated in the HG-treated HRECs. SPRED2 overexpression reversed HG-induced endothelial–mesenchymal transition in HRECs. The expressions of tight junction components claudin 3, occludin, and ZO-1 were increased in HG-treated HRECs following SPRED2 up-regulation. In addition, SPRED2 overexpression downregulated the expression of p-ERK1/2, p-p38, and p-JNK in the HG-treated HRECs. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that SPRED2 overexpression repressed endothelial–mesenchymal transition and endothelial injury in HG-treated HRECs by suppressing MAPK signaling pathway. These findings suggested that SPRED2 may be a novel potential therapeutic target implicated in DR progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First People's Hospital of Jingmen, Jingmen, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chengmin Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, China
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Guan G, Xie J, Dai Y, Han H. TFPI2 suppresses the interaction of TGF-β2 pathway regulators to promote endothelial-mesenchymal transition in diabetic nephropathy. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101725. [PMID: 35157852 PMCID: PMC8914548 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is an important source of myofibroblasts, but also contributes to the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). By several differential gene expression analyses from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, the tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI2) gene, known as a tumor suppressor, was shown to be dysregulated in DN; however, the potential role and regulatory mechanism of TFPI2 in DN are unclear. Here, we found abnormal upregulation of TFPI2 in the renal cortex of diabetic mice, accompanied by impaired renal function. We also injected a single dose of adeno-associated virus (AAV)2 carrying shRNA targeting TFPI2 intravenously into these mice and found that knockdown of TFPI2 improved renal function and reduced renal fibrosis and cell apoptosis in experimental DN. Furthermore, hyperglycemia-induced EndMT was inhibited in the absence of TFPI2, as evidenced by increased expression of endothelial markers (VE-cadherin and CD31) and decreased expression of mesenchymal markers (α-SMA, desmin, and FSP-1). To further explore the mechanism in vitro, human renal glomerular endothelial cells (hRGECs) were incubated in the presence of high glucose or transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)2. TFPI2 deficiency inhibited high glucose-induced cell apoptosis and TGF-β2-induced EndMT in hRGECs, while overexpression of TFPI2 had the opposite effects. Importantly, TGF-β2 is a crucial driver of EndMT, and we found that TFPI2 promoted TGF-β2/Smad signaling activation by interferring the interaction of TGF-β pathway regulators (SMURF2 with SMAD7). Our results show that TFPI2 regulates EndMT and the TGF-β2 signaling pathway and is a potential promoter of DN pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoying Guan
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinjiao Xie
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yamei Dai
- Health Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Han
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
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Kelly RA, Perkumas KM, Campbell M, Farrar GJ, Stamer WD, Humphries P, O'Callaghan J, O'Brien CJ. Fibrotic Changes to Schlemm's Canal Endothelial Cells in Glaucoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9446. [PMID: 34502356 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that glaucomatous Schlemm’s canal endothelial cells (gSCECs) are stiffer and associated with reduced porosity and increased extracellular matrix (ECM) material compared to SCECs from healthy individuals. We hypothesised that Schlemm’s canal (SC) cell stiffening was a function of fibrotic changes occurring at the inner wall of SC in glaucoma. This study was performed in primary cell cultures isolated from the SC lumen of human donor eyes. RNA and protein quantification of both fibrotic and endothelial cell markers was carried out on both healthy and gSCECs. Functional assays to assess cell density, size, migration, proliferation, and mitochondrial function of these cells were also carried out. Indeed, we found that gSCECs deviate from typical endothelial cell characteristics and exhibit a more fibrotic phenotype. For example, gSCECs expressed significantly higher protein levels of the fibrotic markers α-SMA, collagen I-α1, and fibronectin, as well as significantly increased protein expression of TGFβ-2, the main driver of fibrosis, compared to healthy SCECs. Interestingly, we observed a significant increase in protein expression of endothelial marker VE-cadherin in gSCECs, compared to healthy SCECs. gSCECs also appeared to be significantly larger, and surprisingly proliferate and migrate at a significantly higher rate, as well as showing significantly reduced mitochondrial activity, compared to healthy SCECs.
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Guo SW. Cancer-associated mutations in endometriosis: shedding light on the pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:423-449. [PMID: 32154564 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmz047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [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: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endometriosis is a benign gynaecological disease. Thus, it came as a complete surprise when it was reported recently that the majority of deep endometriosis lesions harbour somatic mutations and a sizeable portion of them contain known cancer-associated mutations (CAMs). Four more studies have since been published, all demonstrating the existence of CAMs in different subtypes of endometriosis. While the field is still evolving, the confirmation of CAMs has raised many questions that were previously overlooked. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE A comprehensive overview of CAMs in endometriosis has been produced. In addition, with the recently emerged understanding of the natural history of endometriotic lesions as well as CAMs in normal and apparently healthy tissues, this review attempts to address the following questions: Why has there been such a wild discrepancy in reported mutation frequencies? Why does ectopic endometrium have a higher mutation rate than that of eutopic endometrium? Would the presence of CAMs in endometriotic lesions increase the risk of cancer to the bearers? Why do endometriotic epithelial cells have much higher mutation frequencies than their stromal counterpart? What clinical implications, if any, do the CAMs have for the bearers? Do these CAMs tell us anything about the pathogenesis and/or pathophysiology of endometriosis? SEARCH METHODS The PubMed database was searched, from its inception to September 2019, for all papers in English using the term 'endometriosis and CAM', 'endometriosis and cancer-driver mutation', 'somatic mutations', 'fibrosis', 'fibrosis and epigenetic', 'CAMs and tumorigenesis', 'somatic mutation and normal tissues', 'oestrogen receptor and fibrosis', 'oxidative stress and fibrosis', 'ARID1A mutation', and 'Kirsten rat sarcoma mutation and therapeutics'. All retrieved papers were read and, when relevant, incorporated into the review results. OUTCOMES Seven papers that identified CAMs in endometriosis using various sequencing methods were retrieved, and their results were somewhat different. Yet, it is apparent that those using microdissection techniques and more accurate sequencing methods found more CAMs, echoing recent discoveries that apparently healthy tissues also harbour CAMs as a result of the replicative aging process. Hence endometriotic lesions, irrespective of subtype, if left intact, would generate CAMs as part of replicative aging, oxidative stress and perhaps other factors yet to be identified and, in some rare cases, develop cancer. The published data still are unable to paint a clear picture on pathogenesis of endometriosis. However, since endometriotic epithelial cells have a higher turnover than their stromal counterpart due to cyclic bleeding, and since the endometriotic stromal component can be formed by refresh influx of mesenchymal cells through epithelial-mesenchymal transition, endothelial-mesenchymal transition, mesothelial-mesenchymal transition and other processes as well as recruitment of bone-marrow-derived stem cells and outflow due to smooth muscle metaplasia, endometriotic epithelial cells have much higher mutation frequencies than their stromal counterpart. The epithelial and stromal cellular components develop in a dependent and co-evolving manner. Genes involved in CAMs are likely to be active players in lesional fibrogenesis, and hyperestrogenism and oxidative stress are likely drivers of both CAMs and fibrogenesis. Finally, endometriotic lesions harbouring CAMs would conceivably be more refractory to medical treatment, due, in no small part, to their high fibrotic content and reduced vascularity and cellularity. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The accumulating data on CAMs in endometriosis have shed new light on the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of endometriosis. They also suggest new challenges in management. The distinct yet co-evolving developmental trajectories of endometriotic stroma and epithelium underscore the importance of the lesional microenvironment and ever-changing cellular identity. Mutational profiling of normal endometrium from women of different ages and reproductive history is needed in order to gain a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis. Moreover, one area that has conspicuously received scant attention is the epigenetic landscape of ectopic, eutopic and normal endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Wei Guo
- Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Shanghai 200011, China
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Shu DY, Butcher E, Saint-Geniez M. EMT and EndMT: Emerging Roles in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4271. [PMID: 32560057 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT) are physiological processes required for normal embryogenesis. However, these processes can be hijacked in pathological conditions to facilitate tissue fibrosis and cancer metastasis. In the eye, EMT and EndMT play key roles in the pathogenesis of subretinal fibrosis, the end-stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that leads to profound and permanent vision loss. Predominant in subretinal fibrotic lesions are matrix-producing mesenchymal cells believed to originate from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and/or choroidal endothelial cells (CECs) through EMT and EndMT, respectively. Recent evidence suggests that EMT of RPE may also be implicated during the early stages of AMD. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) is a key cytokine orchestrating both EMT and EndMT. Investigations in the molecular mechanisms underpinning EMT and EndMT in AMD have implicated a myriad of contributing factors including signaling pathways, extracellular matrix remodelling, oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction. Questions arise as to differences in the mesenchymal cells derived from these two processes and their distinct mechanistic contributions to the pathogenesis of AMD. Detailed discussion on the AMD microenvironment highlights the synergistic interactions between RPE and CECs that may augment the EMT and EndMT processes in vivo. Understanding the differential regulatory networks of EMT and EndMT and their contributions to both the dry and wet forms of AMD can aid the development of therapeutic strategies targeting both RPE and CECs to potentially reverse the aberrant cellular transdifferentiation processes, regenerate the retina and thus restore vision.
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Isobe S, Kataoka M, Endo J, Moriyama H, Okazaki S, Tsuchihashi K, Katsumata Y, Yamamoto T, Shirakawa K, Yoshida N, Shimoda M, Chiba T, Masuko T, Hakamata Y, Kobayashi E, Saya H, Fukuda K, Sano M. Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition Drives Expression of CD44 Variant and xCT in Pulmonary Hypertension. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2020; 61:367-379. [PMID: 30897333 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2018-0231oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) pathogenesis shares similarities with carcinogenesis. One CD44 variant (CD44v) isoform, CD44v8-10, binds to and stabilizes the cystine transporter subunit (xCT), producing reduced glutathione and thereby enhancing the antioxidant defense of cancer stem cells. Pharmacological inhibition of xCT by sulfasalazine suppresses tumor growth, survival, and resistance to chemotherapy. We investigated whether the CD44v-xCT axis contributes to PAH pathogenesis. CD44v was predominantly expressed on endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT)-like cells in the neointimal layer of PAH affected pulmonary arterioles. In vitro, CD44 standard form and CD44v were induced as a result of EndMT. Among human pulmonary artery endothelial cells that have undergone EndMT, CD44v+ cells showed high levels of xCT expression on their cell surfaces and high concentrations of glutathione for survival. This made CD44v+ cells the most vulnerable target for sulfasalazine. CD44v+xCThi cells showed the highest expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines, antioxidant enzymes, antiapoptotic molecules, and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. In the Sugen5416/hypoxia mouse model, CD44v+ cells were present in the thickened pulmonary vascular wall. The administration of sulfasalazine started either at the same time as "Sugen5416" administration (a prevention model) or after the development of pulmonary hypertension (a reversal model) attenuated the muscularization of the pulmonary vessels, decreased the expression of markers of inflammation, and reduced the right ventricular systolic pressure, while reducing CD44v+ cells. In conclusion, CD44v+xCThi cells appear during EndMT and in pulmonary hypertension tissues. Sulfasalazine is expected to be a novel therapeutic agent for PAH, most likely targeting EndMT-derived CD44v+xCThi cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Shogo Okazaki
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research
| | - Kenji Tsuchihashi
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research
| | | | | | | | - Naohiro Yoshida
- Department of Cardiology.,Department of Endocrinology and Hypertension, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Tomohiro Chiba
- Department of Pathology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Masuko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cell Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan; and
| | - Yoji Hakamata
- Department of Basic Science, School of Veterinary Nursing and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eiji Kobayashi
- Department of Organ Fabrication, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Saya
- Division of Gene Regulation, Institute for Advanced Medical Research
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Abstract
Angiogenesis is a hallmark of cancer. However, current antivascular therapies that primarily target angiogenic factors have faced difficulties and failures in treating most cancers. It is proposed that endothelial transformation acts as an alternative driver of excessive and abnormal vascularity that fuels cancer progression and immunosuppression, and also induces resistance to therapy. Thus, vascular detransformation may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Fan
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Zhao Y, Qiao X, Tan TK, Zhao H, Zhang Y, Liu L, Zhang J, Wang L, Cao Q, Wang Y, Wang Y, Wang YM, Lee VWS, Alexander SI, Harris DCH, Zheng G. Matrix metalloproteinase 9-dependent Notch signaling contributes to kidney fibrosis through peritubular endothelial-mesenchymal transition. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2018; 32:781-791. [PMID: 27566305 PMCID: PMC5427520 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfw308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Endothelial cells are known to contribute to kidney fibrosis via endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is known to be profibrotic. However, whether MMP-9 contributes to kidney fibrosis via EndoMT is unknown. Methods: Primary mouse renal peritubular endothelial cells (MRPECs) were isolated and treated by recombinant human transforming growth factor beta 1 (rhTGF-β1) with or without MMP-9 inhibitor or by recombinant human MMP-9 (rhMMP-9) alone. Kidney fibrosis was induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in MMP-9 knockout (KO) and wide-type (WT) control mice. The effects of MMP-9 on EndoMT of MRPECs and kidney fibrosis were examined. Results: We showed that MRPECs underwent EndoMT after rhTGF-β1 treatment or in UUO kidney as evidenced by decreased expression of endothelial markers, vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) and CD31, and increased levels of mesenchymal markers, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and vimentin. The expression of fibrosis markers was also up-regulated significantly after rhTGF-β1 treatment in MRPECs. The EndoMT and fibrosis markers were significantly less in rhTGF-β1-treated MMP-9 KO MRPECs, whereas MMP-9 alone was sufficient to induce EndoMT in MRPECs. UUO kidney of MMP-9 KO mice showed significantly less interstitial fibrosis and EndoMT in MRPECs. Notch signaling shown by Notch intracellular domain (NICD) was increased, while Notch-1 was decreased in rhTGF-β1-treated MRPECs of MMP-9 WT but not MMP-9 KO mice. Inhibition of MMP-9 or Notch signaling prevented rhTGF-β1- or rhMMP-9-induced α-SMA and NICD upregulation in MRPECs. UUO kidney of MMP-9 KO mice had less staining of Notch signaling transcription factor Hey-1 in VE-cadherin-positive MRPECs than WT controls. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that MMP-9-dependent Notch signaling plays an important role in kidney fibrosis through EndoMT of MRPECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Zhao
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,The School of Biomedical Sciences, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Qiao
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Nephrology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Kidney Disease Institute, Taiyuan, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Thian Kui Tan
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hong Zhao
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Experimental Centre of Science and Research, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Lixin Liu
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Experimental Centre of Science and Research, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianlin Zhang
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Kidney Disease Institute, Taiyuan, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Cao
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yiping Wang
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ya Wang
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yuan Min Wang
- Centre for Kidney Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vincent W S Lee
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen I Alexander
- Centre for Kidney Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David C H Harris
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Guoping Zheng
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Midgett M, López CS, David L, Maloyan A, Rugonyi S. Increased Hemodynamic Load in Early Embryonic Stages Alters Endocardial to Mesenchymal Transition. Front Physiol 2017; 8:56. [PMID: 28228731 PMCID: PMC5296359 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Normal blood flow is essential for proper heart formation during embryonic development, as abnormal hemodynamic load (blood pressure and shear stress) results in cardiac defects seen in congenital heart disease. However, the progressive detrimental remodeling processes that relate altered blood flow to cardiac defects remain unclear. Endothelial-mesenchymal cell transition is one of the many complex developmental events involved in transforming the early embryonic outflow tract into the aorta, pulmonary trunk, interventricular septum, and semilunar valves. This study elucidated the effects of increased hemodynamic load on endothelial-mesenchymal transition remodeling of the outflow tract cushions in vivo. Outflow tract banding was used to increase hemodynamic load in the chicken embryo heart between Hamburger and Hamilton stages 18 and 24. Increased hemodynamic load induced increased cell density in outflow tract cushions, fewer cells along the endocardial lining, endocardium junction disruption, and altered periostin expression as measured by confocal microscopy analysis. In addition, 3D focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy analysis determined that a portion of endocardial cells adopted a migratory shape after outflow tract banding that is more irregular, elongated, and with extensive cellular projections compared to normal cells. Proteomic mass-spectrometry analysis quantified altered protein composition after banding that is consistent with a more active stage of endothelial-mesenchymal transition. Outflow tract banding enhances the endothelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype during formation of the outflow tract cushions, suggesting that endothelial-mesenchymal transition is a critical developmental process that when disturbed by altered blood flow gives rise to cardiac malformation and defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline Midgett
- Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University Portland, OR, USA
| | - Claudia S López
- Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science UniversityPortland, OR, USA; Multiscale Microscopy Core, OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine, Oregon Health and Science UniversityPortland, OR, USA
| | - Larry David
- Proteomics Core, Oregon Health and Science University Portland, OR, USA
| | - Alina Maloyan
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University Portland, OR, USA
| | - Sandra Rugonyi
- Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University Portland, OR, USA
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Braitsch CM, Kanisicak O, van Berlo JH, Molkentin JD, Yutzey KE. Differential expression of embryonic epicardial progenitor markers and localization of cardiac fibrosis in adult ischemic injury and hypertensive heart disease. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2013; 65:108-19. [PMID: 24140724 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [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] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Revised: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
During embryonic heart development, the transcription factors Tcf21, Wt1, and Tbx18 regulate activation and differentiation of epicardium-derived cells, including fibroblast lineages. Expression of these epicardial progenitor factors and localization of cardiac fibrosis were examined in mouse models of cardiovascular disease and in human diseased hearts. Following ischemic injury in mice, epicardial fibrosis is apparent in the thickened layer of subepicardial cells that express Wt1, Tbx18, and Tcf21. Perivascular fibrosis with predominant expression of Tcf21, but not Wt1 or Tbx18, occurs in mouse models of pressure overload or hypertensive heart disease, but not following ischemic injury. Areas of interstitial fibrosis in ischemic and hypertensive hearts actively express Tcf21, Wt1, and Tbx18. In all areas of fibrosis, cells that express epicardial progenitor factors are distinct from CD45-positive immune cells. In human diseased hearts, differential expression of Tcf21, Wt1, and Tbx18 also is detected with epicardial, perivascular, and interstitial fibrosis, indicating conservation of reactivated developmental mechanisms in cardiac fibrosis in mice and humans. Together, these data provide evidence for distinct fibrogenic mechanisms that include Tcf21, separate from Wt1 and Tbx18, in different fibroblast populations in response to specific types of cardiac injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M Braitsch
- The Heart Institute, Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 240 Albert Sabin Way, ML 7020, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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