A spatially resolved single-cell genomic atlas of the adult human breast

The adult human breast is comprised of an intricate network of epithelial ducts and lobules that are embedded in connective and adipose tissue1-3. Although most previous studies have focused on the breast epithelial system4-6, many of the non-epithelial cell types remain understudied. Here we constructed the comprehensive Human Breast Cell Atlas (HBCA) at single-cell and spatial resolution. Our single-cell transcriptomics study profiled 714,331 cells from 126 women, and 117,346 nuclei from 20 women, identifying 12 major cell types and 58 biological cell states. These data reveal abundant perivascular, endothelial and immune cell populations, and highly diverse luminal epithelial cell states. Spatial mapping using four different technologies revealed an unexpectedly rich ecosystem of tissue-resident immune cells, as well as distinct molecular differences between ductal and lobular regions. Collectively, these data provide a reference of the adult normal breast tissue for studying mammary biology and diseases such as breast cancer.

Age-dependent transcriptional alterations in cardiac endothelial cells

Aging is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Despite the fact that endothelial cells play critical roles in cardiovascular function and disease, the molecular impact of aging on this cell population in many organ systems remains unknown. In this study, we sought to determine age-associated transcriptional alterations in cardiac endothelial cells. Highly enriched populations of endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from the heart, brain, and kidney of young (3 mo) and aged (24 mo) C57/BL6 mice were profiled for RNA expression via bulk RNA sequencing. Approximately 700 cardiac endothelial transcripts significantly differ by age. Gene set enrichment analysis indicated similar patterns for cellular pathway perturbations. Receptor-ligand comparisons indicated parallel alterations in age-affected circulating factors and cardiac endothelial-expressed receptors. Gene and pathway enrichment analyses show that age-related transcriptional response of cardiac endothelial cells is distinct from that of endothelial cells derived from the brain or kidney vascular bed. Furthermore, single-cell analysis identified nine distinct EC subtypes and shows that the Apelin Receptor-enriched subtype is reduced with age in mouse heart. Finally, we identify age-dysregulated genes in specific aged cardiac endothelial subtypes.

Transcriptional and Cellular Diversity of the Human Heart

BACKGROUND

The human heart requires a complex ensemble of specialized cell types to perform its essential function. A greater knowledge of the intricate cellular milieu of the heart is critical to increase our understanding of cardiac homeostasis and pathology. As recent advances in low-input RNA sequencing have allowed definitions of cellular transcriptomes at single-cell resolution at scale, we have applied these approaches to assess the cellular and transcriptional diversity of the nonfailing human heart.

METHODS

Microfluidic encapsulation and barcoding was used to perform single nuclear RNA sequencing with samples from 7 human donors, selected for their absence of overt cardiac disease. Individual nuclear transcriptomes were then clustered based on transcriptional profiles of highly variable genes. These clusters were used as the basis for between-chamber and between-sex differential gene expression analyses and intersection with genetic and pharmacologic data.

RESULTS

We sequenced the transcriptomes of 287 269 single cardiac nuclei, revealing 9 major cell types and 20 subclusters of cell types within the human heart. Cellular subclasses include 2 distinct groups of resident macrophages, 4 endothelial subtypes, and 2 fibroblast subsets. Comparisons of cellular transcriptomes by cardiac chamber or sex reveal diversity not only in cardiomyocyte transcriptional programs but also in subtypes involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and vascularization. Using genetic association data, we identified strong enrichment for the role of cell subtypes in cardiac traits and diseases. Intersection of our data set with genes on cardiac clinical testing panels and the druggable genome reveals striking patterns of cellular specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

Using large-scale single nuclei RNA sequencing, we defined the transcriptional and cellular diversity in the normal human heart. Our identification of discrete cell subtypes and differentially expressed genes within the heart will ultimately facilitate the development of new therapeutics for cardiovascular diseases.

Isolation and Flow Cytometric Analysis of the Stromal Vascular Fraction Isolated from Mouse Adipose Tissue

Evidence from preclinical research and clinical trials demonstrates the use of the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) as therapy for numerous indications. These results demonstrate that autologous SVF is not only safe and effective but provides robust anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and reparative effects in vivo. The potency of the SVF is attributed to the cellular composition which includes adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), adipocytes, endothelial cells, and various immune cells. As the name would suggest, these SVF cells are derived from the stromal compartment of adipose, or fat. Once digested, the cells that constitute adipose are released and collected as the SVF. The cellular frequencies within the SVF can then be assessed using a fluorescent antibody-based technique known as flow cytometry. The following chapter provides a standard operating protocol that describes the procedures from harvesting the fat tissue from experimental mice to isolating and characterizing the SVF.

Identifying Behavioral Phenotypes and Heterogeneity in Heart Valve Surface Endothelium

Heart valvular endothelial cells (VECs) are distinct from vascular endothelial cells (ECs), but have an uncertain context within the spectrum of known endothelial phenotypes, including lymphatic ECs (LECs). Profiling the phenotypes of the heart valve surface VECs would facilitate identification of a proper seeding population for tissue-engineered valves, as well as elucidate mechanisms of valvular disease. Porcine VECs and porcine aortic ECs (AECs) were isolated from pig hearts and characterized to assess known EC and LEC markers. A transwell migration assay determined their propensity to migrate toward vascular endothelial growth factor, an angiogenic stimulus, over 24 h. Compared to AECs, Flt-1 was expressed on almost double the percentage of VECs, measured as 74 versus 38%. The expression of angiogenic EC markers CXCR4 and DLL4 was >90% on AECs, whereas VECs showed only 35% CXCR4+ and 47% DLL4+. AECs demonstrated greater migration (71.5 ± 11.0 cells per image field) than the VECs with 30.0 ± 15.3 cells per image field (p = 0.032). In total, 30% of VECs were positive for LYVE1+/Prox1+, while these markers were absent in AECs. In conclusion, the population of cells on the surface of heart valves is heterogeneous, consisting largely of nonangiogenic VECs and a subset of LECs. Previous studies have indicated the presence of LECs within the interior of the valves; however, this is the first study to demonstrate their presence on the surface. Identification of this unique endothelial mixture is a step forward in the development of engineered valve replacements as a uniform EC seeding population may not be the best option to maximize transplant success.

Endothelial cell metabolism in normal and diseased vasculature

Higher organisms rely on a closed cardiovascular circulatory system with blood vessels supplying vital nutrients and oxygen to distant tissues. Not surprisingly, vascular pathologies rank among the most life-threatening diseases. At the crux of most of these vascular pathologies are (dysfunctional) endothelial cells (ECs), the cells lining the blood vessel lumen. ECs display the remarkable capability to switch rapidly from a quiescent state to a highly migratory and proliferative state during vessel sprouting. This angiogenic switch has long been considered to be dictated by angiogenic growth factors (eg, vascular endothelial growth factor) and other signals (eg, Notch) alone, but recent findings show that it is also driven by a metabolic switch in ECs. Furthermore, these changes in metabolism may even override signals inducing vessel sprouting. Here, we review how EC metabolism differs between the normal and dysfunctional/diseased vasculature and how it relates to or affects the metabolism of other cell types contributing to the pathology. We focus on the biology of ECs in tumor blood vessel and diabetic ECs in atherosclerosis as examples of the role of endothelial metabolism in key pathological processes. Finally, current as well as unexplored EC metabolism-centric therapeutic avenues are discussed.

An immortalized human liver endothelial sinusoidal cell line for the study of the pathobiology of the liver endothelium

BACKGROUND

The endothelium lines blood and lymph vessels and protects underlying tissues against external agents such as viruses, bacteria and parasites. Yet, microbes and particularly viruses have developed sophisticated ways to bypass the endothelium in order to gain access to inner organs. De novo infection of the liver parenchyma by many viruses and notably hepatitis viruses, is thought to occur through recruitment of virions on the sinusoidal endothelial surface and subsequent transfer to the epithelium. Furthermore, the liver endothelium undergoes profound changes with age and in inflammation or infection. However, primary human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are difficult to obtain due to scarcity of liver resections. Relevant derived cell lines are needed in order to analyze in a standardized fashion the transfer of pathogens across the liver endothelium. By lentiviral transduction with hTERT only, we have immortalized human LSECs isolated from a hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) patient and established the non-transformed cell line TRP3. TRP3 express mesenchymal, endothelial and liver sinusoidal markers. Functional assessment of TRP3 cells demonstrated a high capacity of endocytosis, tube formation and reactivity to immune stimulation. However, TRP3 displayed few fenestrae and expressed C-type lectins intracellularly. All these findings were confirmed in the original primary LSECs from which TRP3 were derived suggesting that these features were already present in the liver donor. We consider TRP3 as a model to investigate the functionality of the liver endothelium in hepatic inflammation in infection.

Multiple-protein detections of single-cells reveal cell-cell heterogeneity in human cells

Cell population represents an intrinsically heterogeneous and stochastic system, in which individual cells often behave very differently in molecular contents, functions and even genotypes from the population average in response to uniform physiological stimuli. The traditional bulk cellular analysis often overlooks cellular heterogeneity and does not provide information on cell-cell variations. Single-cell measurements can reveal information obscured in population averages, and enable us to determine distributions rather than averaged properties within a cell population. The level of complexity, with numerous variables acting at the same time, requires multiparametric and dynamic investigation of a large number of single cells. Multiplexed study can provide quantitative correlations or inter-relationships among multiple cellular components and molecular markers within a protein network or family in biological processes. In this paper, we applied multiple fluorophore-conjugated primary antibodies to detect multiple proteins expressed on the same singe cells from a clonal population. To reveal cell-cell heterogeneity, we quantified the histograms of six proteins within a cell population as functions of TNF-α stimulation time. Then, we quantified noise and noise strength of these protein histograms as functions of TNF-α stimulation time. Thirdly, we quantified correlation coefficients of multiple proteins expressed on same single-cells as functions of TNF-α stimulation time. Above parameters demonstrated nonlinear relationships with TNF-α stimulation. Quantification of above parameters on independent cell subpopulations further reveals the cell-cell heterogeneity when exposed to identical environmental conditions. Such cellular heterogeneity will be useful to characterize the disease progression and disease diagnoses.

Increase of palmitic acid concentration impairs endothelial progenitor cell and bone marrow-derived progenitor cell bioavailability: role of the STAT5/PPARγ transcriptional complex

Metabolic profiling of plasma nonesterified fatty acids discovered that palmitic acid (PA), a natural peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) ligand, is a reliable type 2 diabetes biomarker. We investigated whether and how PA diabetic (d-PA) concentrations affected endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) and bone marrow-derived hematopoietic cell (BM-HC) biology. PA physiologic (n-PA) and d-PA concentrations were used. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen content and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5), PPARγ, cyclin D1, and p21(Waf) expression were evaluated. Small interfering RNA technology, gene reporter luciferase assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, and coimmunoprecipitation were exploited. In vivo studies and migration assays were also performed. d-PA, unlike n-PA or physiological and diabetic oleic and stearic acid concentrations, impaired EPC migration and EPC/BM-HC proliferation through a PPARγ-mediated STAT5 transcription inhibition. This event did not prevent the formation of a STAT5/PPARγ transcriptional complex but was crucial for gene targeting, as p21(Waf) gene promoter, unlike cyclin D1, was the STAT5/PPARγ transcriptional target. Similar molecular events could be detected in EPCs isolated from type 2 diabetic patients. By expressing a constitutively activated STAT5 form, we demonstrated that STAT5 content is crucial for gene targeting and EPC fate. Finally, we also provide in vivo data that d-PA-mediated EPC dysfunction could be rescued by PPARγ blockade. These data provide first insights on how mechanistically d-PA drives EPC/BM-HC dysfunction in diabetes.

Heterogeneity of endothelial cells--role in vessel specialization and cooperation in vasculogenic mimicry

Among endothelial cells (ECs), subpopulations are mainly distinguished in terms of maturation, tissue specialization and functions. Heterogeneity is an important characteristic of endothelial cells responsible for organ-specific cell and molecule delivery. Endothelial cell heterogeneity is a key to embryonic development as well as cell recruitment in adult organism during the immune response; it determines also the pathologic spreading of diseases, such as cancer invasion and infectious disease progression among species. Heterogeneity is also a feature of intra-organ specialization of endothelial cells. ECs are highly reactive to the microenvironment and their condition reflects healthy vs. diseased states. They respond to tissue hypoxia which brings a new parameter to endothelial heterogeneity. Hypoxia changes the phenotype and biology of ECs by turning on angiogenesis to restore physioxia. Highly responsive to hypoxia are the endothelial precursor cells (EPCs) and the selected cancer stem cell (CSC) populations, the most aggressive dedifferentiated tumor cells. They cooperate with one another and contribute to the vascular mimicry process of angiogenesis. This has a most effective impact on tumor cells escape and spreading.

Depletion of B2 but not B1a B cells in BAFF receptor-deficient ApoE mice attenuates atherosclerosis by potently ameliorating arterial inflammation

We have recently identified conventional B2 cells as atherogenic and B1a cells as atheroprotective in hypercholesterolemic ApoE^−/− mice. Here, we examined the development of atherosclerosis in BAFF-R deficient ApoE^−/− mice because B2 cells but not B1a cells are selectively depleted in BAFF-R deficient mice. We fed BAFF-R^−/− ApoE^−/− (BaffR.ApoE DKO) and BAFF-R^+/+ApoE^−/− (ApoE KO) mice a high fat diet (HFD) for 8-weeks. B2 cells were significantly reduced by 82%, 81%, 94%, 72% in blood, peritoneal fluid, spleen and peripheral lymph nodes respectively; while B1a cells and non-B lymphocytes were unaffected. Aortic atherosclerotic lesions assessed by oil red-O stained-lipid accumulation and CD68+ macrophage accumulation were decreased by 44% and 50% respectively. B cells were absent in atherosclerotic lesions of BaffR.ApoE DKO mice as were IgG1 and IgG2a immunoglobulins produced by B2 cells, despite low but measurable numbers of B2 cells and IgG1 and IgG2a immunoglobulin concentrations in plasma. Plasma IgM and IgM deposits in atherosclerotic lesions were also reduced. BAFF-R deficiency in ApoE^−/− mice was also associated with a reduced expression of VCAM-1 and fewer macrophages, dendritic cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltrates and PCNA+ cells in lesions. The expression of proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL1-β and proinflammatory chemokine MCP-1 was also reduced. Body weight and plasma cholesterols were unaffected in BaffR.ApoE DKO mice. Our data indicate that B2 cells are important contributors to the development of atherosclerosis and that targeting the BAFF-R to specifically reduce atherogenic B2 cell numbers while preserving atheroprotective B1a cell numbers may be a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce atherosclerosis by potently reducing arterial inflammation.

Proinflammatory phenotype with imbalance of KLF2 and RelA: risk of childhood stroke with sickle cell anemia

Altered inflammation signaling within the cerebral vasculature may be an important risk factor for stroke in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA). This study examines how differential expression of NFkappaB/p65 (RelA), KLF2, and other transcription factors may act as switches in inflammation signaling leading to observed differences between non-SCA (NS) African Americans and African Americans with SCA who are either at risk (AR) or not at risk (NAR) of childhood stroke based on occurrence of Circle of Willis disease. Clover/Transfac analysis was used to identify overrepresented transcription factor binding motifs on genes associated with inflammation. Transcription factor binding motifs for the NFkappaB family and RFX1 were overrepresented on inflammation signaling gene set analysis. Variations in protein expression were determined by flow cytometry of blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOECs) from NS, AR, and NAR donors and Western blots of protein extracts from both unstimulated and TNFalpha/IL1beta-stimulated BOECs. BOECs from patients with SCA had more cytoplasmic-derived RelA compared with NS BOECs. Sickle BOECs also had heightened responses to inflammatory stimuli compared with NS BOECs, as shown by increased nuclear RelA, and intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) response to TNFalpha/IL1beta stimulation. Multiple control points in RelA signaling were associated with risk of childhood stroke. The ratio of proinflammatory factor RelA to anti-inflammatory factor KLF2 was greater in BOECs from AR donors than NS donors. Group risk of childhood stroke with SCA was greatest among individuals who exhibited increased expression of proinflammatory transcription factors and decreased expression of transcription factors that suppress inflammation.

Identification of two distinct populations of endothelial progenitor cells differing in size and antigen expression from human umbilical cord blood

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been isolated from peripheral blood, bone marrow, and umbilical cord blood (CB) and determined to be in heterogeneous populations; however, specific variations in their characteristics remain to be clarified. In this study, we observed that mononuclear cells (MNCs) of CB change in morphology to differentiate into mature endothelial cells (EC) after 6 weeks of culture. In early days of culture along with the differentiation, two distinct populations of EPCs were detected, defined by two-dimensional dot plots (forward scatter vs side scatter) with flow cytometry, namely, relatively small cells (S-EPCs) and relatively large cells (L-EPCs). S-EPCs were found to express CD34 but not CD14, while the converse was the case for L-EPCs. When CD34(+)/CD14(-) cells and CD34(-)/CD14(+) cells were isolated from original MNCs of CB and cultured independently, S-EPCs and L-EPCs were derived from CD34(+)/CD14(-) and from CD34(-)/CD14(+) cells, respectively. Furthermore, when the two EPCs at day 7 were separated by cell sorter and recultured, there was no crossover in terms of CD34 and CD14 expression. While expression of VE-cadherin and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) on L-EPCs was significantly greater than on S-EPCs, levels of CD31 were lower. In addition, L-EPCs exhibited greater proliferative ability on stimulation with VEGF. Although these two EPCs expressed different phenotypes, including growth factor receptors, and had different proliferative ability, they both eventually differentiated into mature ECs after more than 3 weeks of culture.

Kinetics and apoptotic profile of circulating endothelial cells as prognostic factors for induction treatment failure in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia patients

The circulating endothelial cells (CEC) are proposed to be a noninvasive marker of angiogenesis. Recent data suggest that endothelial cells may enhance the survival and proliferation of leukemic blasts and mediate chemotherapy resistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We analyzed CEC count by the four-color flow cytometry in AML and healthy subjects. We evaluated the kinetics of mature CEC, both resting (rCEC) and activated (aCEC), as well as progenitor (CEPC) and apoptotic CEC (CEC(AnnV+)) in AML patients treated with standard chemotherapy and their influence on response to treatment and overall survival. We found significantly higher numbers of aCEC, rCEC, CEPC, and CEC(AnnV+) in AML patients than in healthy controls. The elevated CEPC and absolute blood counts in peripheral blood as well as the low CEC(AnnV+) number were associated with higher probability of induction treatment failure. aCEC, rCEC, CEPC, and CEC(AnnV+) counts determined in complete remission (CR) were significantly lower than those found at diagnosis. In those CR patients, a significant decrease in the CEC count and increase in the number of CEC(AnnV+) were observed already 24h after the first dose of chemotherapy. In refractory AML, the aCEC, rCEC, CEPC, and CEC(AnnV+) counts assessed before and after induction chemotherapy did not differ significantly, and a significant decrease in CEC count and increase in CEC(AnnV+) number were noted only after the last dose of chemotherapy. The number of CEC is significantly higher in AML patients than in healthy subjects and correlates with response to treatment. The evaluation of CEC kinetics and apoptotic profile may be a promising tool to select AML patients with poor response to chemotherapy who may benefit from antiangiogenic therapies.

Cells meeting our immunophenotypic criteria of endothelial cells are large platelets

BACKGROUND

Circulating endothelial cells (CEC) are shed from damaged vasculature, making them a rational choice to serve as surrogate marker for vascular damage. Currently, various techniques and CEC definitions are in use, and their standardization and validation is needed. A flow cytometric single platform assay defining CEC as forward light scatter (FSC)(low-to-intermedate), sideward light scatter (SSC)(low), CD45(-), CD31(++) and CD146(+) is a promising approach to enumerate CEC because of its simplicity (Mancuso et al., Blood 2001;97:3658-3661). Here, we set out to confirm the endothelial nature of these cells.

METHODS

We isolated cells with a FSC(low-to-intermediate), SSC(low), CD31(++), CD45(dim) immunophenotype (termed "cells meeting our immunophenotypic criteria for endothelial cells" [CMOIC]) from healthy donors to study the expression of endothelium-associated markers using several techniques. Special attention was paid to reagents identifying the endothelial cell-specific marker CD146. We compared antigen expression patterns of CMOIC with those of the HUVEC endothelial cell line and lymphocytes. Electron microscopy was used to detect the presence of endothelial cell-specific Weibel-Palade bodies in the sorted cells.

RESULTS

CD146 expression was negative on CMOIC for all tested CD146 mAbs, but positive on HUVEC cells and a minor subset of T lymphocytes. Using flow cytometry, we found no expression of any endothelium-associated marker except for CD31 and CD34. HUVEC cells were positive for all endothelial markers except for CD34. Evaluation of CMOIC morphology showed a homogenous population of cells with a highly irregular nucleus-like structure and positive endothelial immunohistochemistry. CMOIC contained neither nuclei nor DNA. Electron microscopy revealed the absence of a nucleus, the absence of endothelial specific Weibel-Palade bodies, and revealed CMOIC to be large platelets.

CONCLUSION

The vast majority of cells with the immunophenotype FSC(low-to-intermediate), SSC(low), CD45(-), CD31(++) do not express CD146 and are large platelets rather than endothelial cells.

Tumor origin of endothelial cells in human neuroblastoma

PURPOSE

Malignant cells are genetically unstable and prone to develop chemotherapy resistance, whereas tumor vasculature is usually of host origin and genetically stable. Tumor endothelial microvessels attract interest as therapeutic targets, but their genetic instability would curtail such approach. Here, we have investigated the tumor origin of endothelial microvessels in human neuroblastoma (NB).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 10 MYCN-amplified tumors (six stage 4, three stage 3, and one stage 1) were studied. Endothelial cells (ECs) were detected by immunofluorescent staining for CD31 or CD105, and MYCN amplification was detected using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In xenografts of the HTLA-230 human NB cell line, human ECs were detected by CD31 staining, mouse ECs were detected by CD34 staining, and MYCN amplification and murine DNA were detected using FISH.

RESULTS

MYCN-amplified ECs formed approximately 70% of tumor endothelial microvessels in two stage 4 tumors and 20% in one stage 3 tumor. Similar results were obtained after EC labeling with CD31 or CD105. Staining for alpha-smooth muscle actin in combination with MYCN FISH demonstrated that tumor-derived ECs were coated with pericytes. These vessels were functional because they contained RBCs. Approximately 70% of endothelial vessels from HTLA-230 xenografts stained for human CD31, but not murine CD34, and displayed MYCN amplification, thus proving their tumor origin.

CONCLUSION

NB-associated endothelial microvessels can originate from tumor cells, and this finding challenges the tenet that tumor vasculature is genetically stable. The possibility that NB-derived ECs are chemotherapy resistant warrants further investigation.

Endothelial Cell Gene Regulation

Endothelial cells (ECs) display phenotypic heterogeneity. Endothelial cell heterogeneity is mediated, at least in part, by site-specific and time-dependent differences in gene transcription. The goal of this review is to provide a conceptual framework for approaching EC gene regulation in the adult vasculature. We summarize data from cell culture studies that provide insight into the transcription factors involved in mediating gene expression in ECs. Next, we review the results of in vivo studies relating to gene regulation in the intact endothelium. Finally, we draw on both the in vitro and in vivo results to propose a model of gene regulation that emphasizes the importance of the extracellular environment in controlling site- and time-specific vascular gene expression.

Unresolved questions, changing definitions, and novel paradigms for defining endothelial progenitor cells

The field of vascular biology has been stimulated by the concept that circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) may play a role in neoangiogenesis (postnatal vasculogenesis). One problem for the field has been the difficulty in accurately defining an EPC. Likewise, circulating endothelial cells (CECs) are not well defined. The lack of a detailed understanding of the proliferative potential of EPCs and CECs has contributed to the controversy in identifying these cells and understanding their biology in vitro or in vivo. A novel paradigm using proliferative potential as one defining aspect of EPC biology suggests that a hierarchy of EPCs exists in human blood and blood vessels. The potential implications of this view in relation to current EPC definitions are discussed.

Structural and functional characteristics of lung macro- and microvascular endothelial cell phenotypes

Lung macro- and microvascular endothelial cells exhibit unique functional attributes, including signal transduction and barrier properties. We therefore sought to identify structural and functional features of endothelial cells that discriminate their phenotypes in the fully differentiated lung. Rat lung macro- (PAEC) and microvascular (PMVEC) endothelial cells each exhibited expression of typical markers. Screening for reactivity with nine different lectins revealed that Glycine max and Griffonia (Bandeiraea) simplicifolia preferentially bound microvascular endothelia whereas Helix pomatia preferentially bound macrovascular endothelia. Apposition between the apical plasmalemma and endoplasmic reticulum was closer in PAECs (8 nm) than in PMVECs (87 nm), implicating this coupling distance in the larger store operated calcium entry responses observed in macrovascular cells. PMVECs exhibited a faster growth rate than did PAECs and, once a growth program was initiated by serum, PMVECs sustained growth in the absence of serum. Thus, PAECs and PMVECs differ in their structure and function, even under similar environmental conditions.

Two types of endothelial cells in the heart of platyfish (Poeciliidae: Teleostei)

The present study describes two structurally and functionally different endothelial cell types in the heart of platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus), which reflect adaptions to two quite unlike environments in this organ. The endothelial layers on the wall and valves of the ventricular apertures come in contact with only a small amount of the blood volume and have not evolved any blood cleaning abilities. These endothelial layers mainly protect the underlying tissue against the strain caused by a high blood flow. In contrast, the endothelium on the muscle trabeculae within the heart wall comes in contact with a large part of the blood volume at a low strain and have evolved structural features which make them highly efficient as blood cleaning tissue in this species.

Thrombin and phenotypic modulation of the endothelium

Thrombin signaling in the endothelium is linked to multiple phenotypic changes, including alterations in permeability, vasomotor tone, and leukocyte trafficking. The thrombin signal is transduced, at least in part, at the level of gene transcription. In this review, we focus on the role of thrombin signaling and transcriptional networks in mediating downstream gene expression and endothelial phenotype. In addition, we report the results of DNA microarrays in control and thrombin-treated endothelial cells. We conclude that (1) thrombin induces the upregulation and downregulation of multiple genes in the endothelium, (2) thrombin-mediated gene expression involves a multitude of transcription factors, and (3) future breakthroughs in the field will depend on a better understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of these transcriptional networks.