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Cano I, Wild M, Gupta U, Chaudhary S, Ng YSE, Saint-Geniez M, D'Amore PA, Hu Z. Endomucin selectively regulates vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 endocytosis through its interaction with AP2. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:225. [PMID: 38605348 PMCID: PMC11007909 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01606-w] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The endothelial glycocalyx, located at the luminal surface of the endothelium, plays an important role in the regulation of leukocyte adhesion, vascular permeability, and vascular homeostasis. Endomucin (EMCN), a component of the endothelial glycocalyx, is a mucin-like transmembrane glycoprotein selectively expressed by venous and capillary endothelium. We have previously shown that knockdown of EMCN impairs retinal vascular development in vivo and vascular endothelial growth factor 165 isoform (VEGF165)-induced cell migration, proliferation, and tube formation by human retinal endothelial cells in vitro and that EMCN is essential for VEGF165-stimulated clathrin-mediated endocytosis and signaling of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Clathrin-mediated endocytosis is an essential step in receptor signaling and is of paramount importance for a number of receptors for growth factors involved in angiogenesis. In this study, we further investigated the molecular mechanism underlying EMCN's involvement in the regulation of VEGF-induced endocytosis. In addition, we examined the specificity of EMCN's role in angiogenesis-related cell surface receptor tyrosine kinase endocytosis and signaling. We identified that EMCN interacts with AP2 complex, which is essential for clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Lack of EMCN did not affect clathrin recruitment to the AP2 complex following VEGF stimulation, but it is necessary for the interaction between VEGFR2 and the AP2 complex during endocytosis. EMCN does not inhibit VEGFR1 and FGFR1 internalization or their downstream activities since EMCN interacts with VEGFR2 but not VEGFR1 or FGFR1. Additionally, EMCN also regulates VEGF121-induced VEGFR2 phosphorylation and internalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issahy Cano
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Present affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Melissa Wild
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Urvi Gupta
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Suman Chaudhary
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yin Shan Eric Ng
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Present Affiliation: EyeBiotech, London, UK
| | - Magali Saint-Geniez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Present affiliation: Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhengping Hu
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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D'Amore PA. Introducing the Ocular Pathobiology Topic Category in The American Journal of Pathology. Am J Pathol 2023; 193:1620-1621. [PMID: 37838454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A D'Amore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts.
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3
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Park-Windhol C, Ng YS, Yang J, Primo V, Saint-Geniez M, D'Amore PA. Author Correction: Endomucin knockdown inhibits VEGF-induced endothelial cell migration, growth, and morphogenesis by modulating VEGFR2 signaling. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16620. [PMID: 37789044 PMCID: PMC10547831 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43612-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Park-Windhol
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yin Shan Ng
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jinling Yang
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vincent Primo
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Magali Saint-Geniez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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4
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Bharti K, den Hollander AI, Lakkaraju A, Sinha D, Williams DS, Finnemann SC, Bowes-Rickman C, Malek G, D'Amore PA. Cell culture models to study retinal pigment epithelium-related pathogenesis in age-related macular degeneration. Exp Eye Res 2022; 222:109170. [PMID: 35835183 PMCID: PMC9444976 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that affects the macula - the central part of the retina. It is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the elderly. AMD onset is marked by the presence of lipid- and protein-rich extracellular deposits beneath the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a monolayer of polarized, pigmented epithelial cells located between the photoreceptors and the choroidal blood supply. Progression of AMD to the late nonexudative "dry" stage of AMD, also called geographic atrophy, is linked to progressive loss of areas of the RPE, photoreceptors, and underlying choriocapillaris leading to a severe decline in patients' vision. Differential susceptibility of macular RPE in AMD and the lack of an anatomical macula in most lab animal models has promoted the use of in vitro models of the RPE. In addition, the need for high throughput platforms to test potential therapies has driven the creation and characterization of in vitro model systems that recapitulate morphologic and functional abnormalities associated with human AMD. These models range from spontaneously formed cell line ARPE19, immortalized cell lines such as hTERT-RPE1, RPE-J, and D407, to primary human (fetal or adult) or animal (mouse and pig) RPE cells, and embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived RPE. Hallmark RPE phenotypes, such as cobblestone morphology, pigmentation, and polarization, vary significantly betweendifferent models and culture conditions used in different labs, which would directly impact their usability for investigating different aspects of AMD biology. Here the AMD Disease Models task group of the Ryan Initiative for Macular Research (RIMR) provides a summary of several currently used in vitro RPE models, historical aspects of their development, RPE phenotypes that are attainable in these models, their ability to model different aspects of AMD pathophysiology, and pros/cons for their use in the RPE and AMD fields. In addition, due to the burgeoning use of iPSC derived RPE cells, the critical need for developing standards for differentiating and rigorously characterizing RPE cell appearance, morphology, and function are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kapil Bharti
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research Section, National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Anneke I den Hollander
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; AbbVie, Genomics Research Center, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Aparna Lakkaraju
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
| | - Debasish Sinha
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cell Biology and Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - David S Williams
- Stein Eye Institute, Departments of Ophthalmology and Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Silvia C Finnemann
- Center of Cancer, Genetic Diseases, and Gene Regulation, Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA.
| | - Catherine Bowes-Rickman
- Duke Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Goldis Malek
- Duke Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Mass Eye and Ear, Departments of Ophthalmology and Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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5
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D'Amore PA, Fliesler SJ, Edwards MM. Gerard (“Jerry”) Anthony Lutty, PhD— In Memoriam (1947–2021). Exp Eye Res 2022; 216:108949. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.108949] [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: 11/30/2022]
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6
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Gnanaguru G, Mackey A, Choi EY, Arta A, Rossato FA, Gero TW, Urquhart AJ, Scott DA, D'Amore PA, Ng YSE. Discovery of sterically-hindered phenol compounds with potent cytoprotective activities against ox-LDL-induced retinal pigment epithelial cell death as a potential pharmacotherapy. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 178:360-368. [PMID: 34843917 PMCID: PMC8758799 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.11.026] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Late-stage dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or geographic atrophy (GA) is an irreversible blinding condition characterized by degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the associated photoreceptors. Clinical and genetic evidence supports a role for dysfunctional lipid processing and accumulation of harmful oxidized lipids in the pathogenesis of GA. Using an oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced RPE death assay, we screened and identified sterically-hindered phenol compounds with potent protective activities for RPE. The phenol-containing PPARγ agonist, troglitazone, protected against ox-LDL-induced RPE cell death, whereas other more potent PPARγ agonists did not protect RPE cells. Knockdown of PPARγ did not affect the protective activity of troglitazone in RPE, confirming the protective function is not due to the thiazolidine (TZD) group of troglitazone. Prototypical hindered phenol trolox and its analogs potently protected against ox-LDL-induced RPE cell death whereas potent antioxidants without the phenol group failed to protect RPE. Hindered phenols preserved lysosomal integrity against ox-LDL-induced damage and FITC-labeled trolox was localized to the lysosomes in RPE cells. Analogs of trolox inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation induced by ox-LDL uptake in a dose-dependent fashion and were effective at sub-micromolar concentrations. Treatment with trolox analog 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-6-chromanol (PMC) significantly induced the expression of the lysosomal protein NPC-1 and reduced intracellular cholesterol level upon ox-LDL uptake. Our data indicate that the lysosomal-localized hindered phenols are uniquely potent in protecting the RPE against the toxic effects of ox-LDL, and may represent a novel pharmacotherapy to preserve the vision in patients with GA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopalan Gnanaguru
- Harvard Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ashley Mackey
- Harvard Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eun Young Choi
- Harvard Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anthoula Arta
- Harvard Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Health Technology, Institut for Sundhedsteknologi, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Franco Aparecido Rossato
- Harvard Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas W Gero
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Andrew J Urquhart
- Department of Health Technology, Institut for Sundhedsteknologi, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - David A Scott
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Harvard Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yin Shan E Ng
- Harvard Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA.
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7
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D'Amore PA, Essex EH, Furie MB. Not Sure if You Are an Investigative Pathologist? Yes, You Are. Am J Pathol 2021; 192:2-3. [PMID: 34762872 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Emily H Essex
- American Society for Investigative Pathology, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Martha B Furie
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York.
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8
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Cano I, Hu Z, AbuSamra DB, Saint-Geniez M, Ng YSE, Argüeso P, D'Amore PA. Galectin-3 Enhances Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A Receptor 2 Activity in the Presence of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:734346. [PMID: 34616740 PMCID: PMC8488270 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.734346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Galectin-3 (Gal3) is a carbohydrate-binding protein reported to promote angiogenesis by influencing vascular endothelial growth factor-A receptor 2 (VEGFR2) signal transduction. Here we evaluated whether the ability of Gal3 to function as an angiogenic factor involved vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). To address this possibility we used human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRECs) to determine whether exogenous Gal3 requires VEGF to activate VEGFR2 signaling and if Gal3 is required for VEGF to activate VEGFR2. VEGFR2 phosphorylation and HREC migration assays, following either VEGF neutralization with ranibizumab or Gal3 silencing, revealed that VEGF endogenously produced by the HRECs was essential for the effect of exogenous Gal3 on VEGFR2 activation and cell migration, and that VEGF-induced VEGFR2 activation was not dependent on Gal3 in HRECs. Gal3 depletion led to no reduction in VEGF-induced cell function. Since Gal3 has been suggested to be a potential therapeutic target for VEGFR2-mediated angiogenesis, it is crucial to define the possible Gal3-mediated VEGFR2 signal transduction mechanism to aid the development of efficacious therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issahy Cano
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Zhengping Hu
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Dina B AbuSamra
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Magali Saint-Geniez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yin Shan Eric Ng
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Pablo Argüeso
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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9
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Hu Z, Cano I, D'Amore PA. Update on the Role of the Endothelial Glycocalyx in Angiogenesis and Vascular Inflammation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:734276. [PMID: 34532323 PMCID: PMC8438194 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.734276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The endothelial glycocalyx is a negatively charged, carbohydrate-rich structure that arises from the luminal surface of the vascular endothelium and is comprised of proteoglycans, glycoproteins, and glycolipids. The glycocalyx, which sits at the interface between the endothelium and the blood, is involved in a wide array of physiological and pathophysiological processes, including as a mechanotransducer and as a regulator of inflammation. Most recently, components of the glycocalyx have been shown to play a key role in controlling angiogenesis. In this review, we briefly summarize the structure and function of the endothelial glycocalyx. We focus on its role and functions in vascular inflammation and angiogenesis and discuss the important unanswered questions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengping Hu
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Issahy Cano
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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10
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Uemura A, Fruttiger M, D'Amore PA, De Falco S, Joussen AM, Sennlaub F, Brunck LR, Johnson KT, Lambrou GN, Rittenhouse KD, Langmann T. VEGFR1 signaling in retinal angiogenesis and microinflammation. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 84:100954. [PMID: 33640465 PMCID: PMC8385046 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.100954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Five vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) ligands (VEGF-A, -B, -C, -D, and placental growth factor [PlGF]) constitute the VEGF family. VEGF-A binds VEGF receptors 1 and 2 (VEGFR1/2), whereas VEGF-B and PlGF only bind VEGFR1. Although much research has been conducted on VEGFR2 to elucidate its key role in retinal diseases, recent efforts have shown the importance and involvement of VEGFR1 and its family of ligands in angiogenesis, vascular permeability, and microinflammatory cascades within the retina. Expression of VEGFR1 depends on the microenvironment, is differentially regulated under hypoxic and inflammatory conditions, and it has been detected in retinal and choroidal endothelial cells, pericytes, retinal and choroidal mononuclear phagocytes (including microglia), Müller cells, photoreceptor cells, and the retinal pigment epithelium. Whilst the VEGF-A decoy function of VEGFR1 is well established, consequences of its direct signaling are less clear. VEGFR1 activation can affect vascular permeability and induce macrophage and microglia production of proinflammatory and proangiogenic mediators. However the ability of the VEGFR1 ligands (VEGF-A, PlGF, and VEGF-B) to compete against each other for receptor binding and to heterodimerize complicates our understanding of the relative contribution of VEGFR1 signaling alone toward the pathologic processes seen in diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusions, retinopathy of prematurity, and age-related macular degeneration. Clinically, anti-VEGF drugs have proven transformational in these pathologies and their impact on modulation of VEGFR1 signaling is still an opportunity-rich field for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiyoshi Uemura
- Department of Retinal Vascular Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, 467-8601, Japan.
| | - Marcus Fruttiger
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK.
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Sandro De Falco
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati-Traverso", Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; ANBITION S.r.l., Via Manzoni 1, 80123, Naples, Italy.
| | - Antonia M Joussen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, and Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Florian Sennlaub
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012, Paris, France.
| | - Lynne R Brunck
- Bayer Consumer Care AG, Pharmaceuticals, Peter-Merian-Strasse 84, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Kristian T Johnson
- Bayer Consumer Care AG, Pharmaceuticals, Peter-Merian-Strasse 84, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - George N Lambrou
- Bayer Consumer Care AG, Pharmaceuticals, Peter-Merian-Strasse 84, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Kay D Rittenhouse
- Bayer Consumer Care AG, Pharmaceuticals, Peter-Merian-Strasse 84, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Thomas Langmann
- Laboratory for Experimental Immunology of the Eye, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 9, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
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11
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Yang J, LeBlanc ME, Cano I, Saez-Torres KL, Saint-Geniez M, Ng YS, D'Amore PA. ADAM10 and ADAM17 proteases mediate proinflammatory cytokine-induced and constitutive cleavage of endomucin from the endothelial surface. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:6641-6651. [PMID: 32193206 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Contact between inflammatory cells and endothelial cells (ECs) is a crucial step in vascular inflammation. Recently, we demonstrated that the cell-surface level of endomucin (EMCN), a heavily O-glycosylated single-transmembrane sialomucin, interferes with the interactions between inflammatory cells and ECs. We have also shown that, in response to an inflammatory stimulus, EMCN is cleared from the cell surface by an unknown mechanism. In this study, using adenovirus-mediated overexpression of a tagged EMCN in human umbilical vein ECs, we found that treatment with tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) or the strong oxidant pervanadate leads to loss of cell-surface EMCN and increases the levels of the C-terminal fragment of EMCN 3- to 4-fold. Furthermore, treatment with the broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor batimastat (BB94) or inhibition of ADAM metallopeptidase domain 10 (ADAM10) and ADAM17 with two small-molecule inhibitors, GW280264X and GI254023X, or with siRNA significantly reduced basal and TNFα-induced cell-surface EMCN cleavage. Release of the C-terminal fragment of EMCN by TNF-α treatment was blocked by chemical inhibition of ADAM10 alone or in combination with ADAM17. These results indicate that cell-surface EMCN undergoes constitutive cleavage and that TNF-α treatment dramatically increases this cleavage, which is mediated predominantly by ADAM10 and ADAM17. As endothelial cell-surface EMCN attenuates leukocyte-EC interactions during inflammation, we propose that EMCN is a potential therapeutic target to manage vascular inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinling Yang
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Michelle E LeBlanc
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Issahy Cano
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Kahira L Saez-Torres
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Magali Saint-Geniez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Yin-Shan Ng
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts 02115 .,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.,Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
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12
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LeBlanc ME, Saez-Torres KL, Cano I, Hu Z, Saint-Geniez M, Ng YS, D'Amore PA. Glycocalyx regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 activity. FASEB J 2019; 33:9362-9373. [PMID: 31141406 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201900011r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that knockdown of endomucin (EMCN), an integral membrane glycocalyx glycoprotein, prevents VEGF-induced proliferation, migration, and tube formation in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo. In the endothelium, VEGF mediates most of its angiogenic effects through VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2). To understand the role of EMCN, we examined the effect of EMCN depletion on VEGFR2 endocytosis and activation. Results showed that although VEGF stimulation promoted VEGFR2 internalization in control endothelial cells (ECs), loss of EMCN prevented VEGFR2 endocytosis. Cell surface analysis revealed a decrease in VEGFR2 following VEGF stimulation in control but not siRNA directed against EMCN-transfected ECs. EMCN depletion resulted in heightened phosphorylation following VEGF stimulation with an increase in total VEGFR2 protein. These results indicate that EMCN modulates VEGFR2 endocytosis and activity and point to EMCN as a potential therapeutic target.-LeBlanc, M. E., Saez-Torres, K. L., Cano, I., Hu, Z., Saint-Geniez, M., Ng, Y.-S., D'Amore, P. A. Glycocalyx regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle E LeBlanc
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kahira L Saez-Torres
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Issahy Cano
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zhengping Hu
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Magali Saint-Geniez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yin-Shan Ng
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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13
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Wu W, Duan Y, Ma G, Zhou G, Park-Windhol C, D'Amore PA, Lei H. AAV-CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Depletion of VEGFR2 Blocks Angiogenesis In Vitro. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 58:6082-6090. [PMID: 29204648 PMCID: PMC5714046 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-21902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Pathologic angiogenesis is a component of many diseases, including neovascular age-related macular degeneration, proliferation diabetic retinopathy, as well as tumor growth and metastasis. The purpose of this project was to examine whether the system of adeno-associated viral (AAV)–mediated CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)–associated endonuclease (Cas)9 can be used to deplete expression of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in human vascular endothelial cells in vitro and thus suppress its downstream signaling events. Methods The dual AAV system of CRISPR/Cas9 from Streptococcus pyogenes (AAV-SpGuide and -SpCas9) was adapted to edit genomic VEGFR2 in primary human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRECs). In this system, the endothelial-specific promoter for intercellular adhesion molecule 2 (ICAM2) was cloned into the dual AAV vectors of SpGuide and SpCas9 for driving expression of green fluorescence protein (GFP) and SpCas9, respectively. These two AAV vectors were applied to production of recombinant AAV serotype 5 (rAAV5), which were used to infect HRECs for depletion of VEGFR2. Protein expression was determined by Western blot; and cell proliferation, migration, as well as tube formation were examined. Results AAV5 effectively infected vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells; the ICAM2 promoter drove expression of GFP and SpCas9 in HRECs, but not in RPE cells. The results showed that the rAAV5-CRISPR/Cas9 depleted VEGFR2 by 80% and completely blocked VEGF-induced activation of Akt, and proliferation, migration as well as tube formation of HRECs. Conclusions AAV-CRISRP/Cas9–mediated depletion of VEGFR2 is a potential therapeutic strategy for pathologic angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyi Wu
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yajian Duan
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Gaoen Ma
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Eye Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, China
| | - Guohong Zhou
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Cindy Park-Windhol
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Hetian Lei
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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14
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Park-Windhol C, Ng YS, Yang J, Primo V, Saint-Geniez M, D'Amore PA. Endomucin inhibits VEGF-induced endothelial cell migration, growth, and morphogenesis by modulating VEGFR2 signaling. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17138. [PMID: 29215001 PMCID: PMC5719432 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16852-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is central to both normal and pathologic processes. Endothelial cells (ECs) express O-glycoproteins that are believed to play important roles in vascular development and stability. Endomucin-1 (EMCN) is a type I O-glycosylated, sialic-rich glycoprotein, specifically expressed by venous and capillary endothelium. Evidence has pointed to a potential role for EMCN in angiogenesis but it had not been directly investigated. In this study, we examined the role of EMCN in angiogenesis by modulating EMCN levels both in vivo and in vitro. Reduction of EMCN in vivo led to the impairment of angiogenesis during normal retinal development in vivo. To determine the cellular basis of this inhibition, gain- and loss-of-function studies were performed in human retinal EC (HREC) in vitro by EMCN over-expression using adenovirus or EMCN gene knockdown by siRNA. We show that EMCN knockdown reduced migration, inhibited cell growth without compromising cell survival, and suppressed tube morphogenesis of ECs, whereas over-expression of EMCN led to increased migration, proliferation and tube formation. Furthermore, knockdown of EMCN suppressed VEGF-induced signaling as measured by decreased phospho-VEGFR2, phospho-ERK1/2 and phospho-p38-MAPK levels. These results suggest a novel role for EMCN as a potent regulator of angiogenesis and point to its potential as a new therapeutic target for angiogenesis-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Park-Windhol
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yin Shan Ng
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jinling Yang
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vincent Primo
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Magali Saint-Geniez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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15
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Zhou G, Duan Y, Ma G, Wu W, Hu Z, Chen N, Chee Y, Cui J, Samad A, Matsubara JA, Mukai S, D'Amore PA, Lei H. Introduction of the MDM2 T309G Mutation in Primary Human Retinal Epithelial Cells Enhances Experimental Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 58:5361-5367. [PMID: 29049737 PMCID: PMC5649510 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-22045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The murine double minute (MDM)2 is a critical negative regulator of the p53 tumor suppressor, and MDM2 SNP309G is associated with a higher risk of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR); in addition, the MDM2 T309G created using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/associated endonuclease (Cas)9 enhances normal rabbit vitreous-induced expression of MDM2 and survival of primary human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells in vitro. The goal of this study was to determine whether this MDM2 T309G contributes to the development of experimental PVR. Methods hRPE cells expressing MDM2 T309G or T309T only were treated with vitreous from human PVR donors (HV). The expression of MDM2 and p53 in the treated cells was examined by Western blot. The in vitro vitreous-induced cellular responses, such as contraction were assessed, and PVR was induced by intravitreal injection of the hRPE cells with MDM2 T309G or T309T only into rabbit eyes. Results Western blot analyses indicated that treatment of hRPE cells with HV led to a significant increase (1.7 ± 0.2-fold) in the expression of MDM2 and a significant decrease in p53 in the cells expressing MDM2 T309G compared with those with MDM2 T309T. In addition, HV promoted contraction of the hRPE cells expressing MDM2 T309G significantly more than those with MDM2 T309T only. Furthermore, MDM2 T309G in the hRPE cells enhanced the development of PVR in a rabbit model. Conclusions The MDM2 SNP309 in RPE cells enhances their potential of PVR pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohong Zhou
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Yajiang Duan
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Gaoen Ma
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Eye Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, China
| | - Wenyi Wu
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Zhengping Hu
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Na Chen
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Yewlin Chee
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Jing Cui
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Arif Samad
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Joanne A Matsubara
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Shizuo Mukai
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Hetian Lei
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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16
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Huang X, Zhou G, Wu W, Duan Y, Ma G, Song J, Xiao R, Vandenberghe L, Zhang F, D'Amore PA, Lei H. Genome editing abrogates angiogenesis in vivo. Nat Commun 2017; 8:112. [PMID: 28740073 PMCID: PMC5524639 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00140-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis, in which vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 2 plays an essential role, is associated with a variety of human diseases including proliferative diabetic retinopathy and wet age-related macular degeneration. Here we report that a system of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease (Cas)9 from Streptococcus pyogenes (SpCas9) is used to deplete VEGFR2 in vascular endothelial cells (ECs), whereby the expression of SpCas9 is driven by an endothelial-specific promoter of intercellular adhesion molecule 2. We further show that recombinant AAV serotype 1 (rAAV1) transduces ECs of pathologic vessels, and that editing of genomic VEGFR2 locus using rAAV1-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 abrogates angiogenesis in the mouse models of oxygen-induced retinopathy and laser-induced choroid neovascularization. This work establishes a strong foundation for genome editing as a strategy to treat angiogenesis-associated diseases. Abnormal angiogenesis causes many ocular diseases. Here the authors employ CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to silence VEGFR2, a major regulator of angiogenesis, in retinal endothelium and abrogate angiogenesis in the mouse models of oxygen-induced retinopathy and laser-induced choroid neovascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xionggao Huang
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Hainan Eye Hospital, Haikou, Hainan Province, 570311, China
| | - Guohong Zhou
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, 030002, China
| | - Wenyi Wu
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410013, China
| | - Yajian Duan
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, 030002, China
| | - Gaoen Ma
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Jingyuan Song
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ru Xiao
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Luk Vandenberghe
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Feng Zhang
- Broad Institute of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Hetian Lei
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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17
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Machuca-Parra AI, Bigger-Allen AA, Sanchez AV, Boutabla A, Cardona-Vélez J, Amarnani D, Saint-Geniez M, Siebel CW, Kim LA, D'Amore PA, Arboleda-Velasquez JF. Therapeutic antibody targeting of Notch3 signaling prevents mural cell loss in CADASIL. J Exp Med 2017; 214:2271-2282. [PMID: 28698285 PMCID: PMC5551569 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20161715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Machuca-Parra et al. show that restoring Notch3 signaling via genetic rescue in a Notch3 knockout or using a Notch3 agonist antibody in a mouse model of CADASIL can prevent small vessel disease. Cerebral autosomal-dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a neurological syndrome characterized by small vessel disease (SVD), stroke, and vascular cognitive impairment and dementia caused by mutations in NOTCH3. No therapies are available for this condition. Loss of mural cells, which encompass pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells, is a hallmark of CADASIL and other SVDs, including diabetic retinopathy, resulting in vascular instability. Here, we showed that Notch3 signaling is both necessary and sufficient to support mural cell coverage in arteries using genetic rescue in Notch3 knockout mice. Furthermore, we show that systemic administration of an agonist Notch3 antibody prevents mural cell loss and modifies plasma proteins associated with Notch3 activity, including endostatin/collagen 18α1 and Notch3 extracellular domain in mice with the C455R mutation, a CADASIL variant associated with Notch3 loss of function. These findings open opportunities for the treatment of CADASIL and other SVDs by modulating Notch3 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo I Machuca-Parra
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Alexander A Bigger-Allen
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Angie V Sanchez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Anissa Boutabla
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.,Grenoble Alpes University, Grenoble, France
| | - Jonathan Cardona-Vélez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.,Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Dhanesh Amarnani
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Magali Saint-Geniez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Christian W Siebel
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA
| | - Leo A Kim
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA .,Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Joseph F Arboleda-Velasquez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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18
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Lam JD, Oh DJ, Wong LL, Amarnani D, Park-Windhol C, Sanchez AV, Cardona-Velez J, McGuone D, Stemmer-Rachamimov AO, Eliott D, Bielenberg DR, van Zyl T, Shen L, Gai X, D'Amore PA, Kim LA, Arboleda-Velasquez JF. Identification of RUNX1 as a Mediator of Aberrant Retinal Angiogenesis. Diabetes 2017; 66:1950-1956. [PMID: 28400392 PMCID: PMC5482092 DOI: 10.2337/db16-1035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is a common cause of blindness in the developed world's working adult population and affects those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. We identified Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) as a gene upregulated in CD31+ vascular endothelial cells obtained from human PDR fibrovascular membranes (FVMs) via transcriptomic analysis. In vitro studies using human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) showed increased RUNX1 RNA and protein expression in response to high glucose, whereas RUNX1 inhibition reduced HRMEC migration, proliferation, and tube formation. Immunohistochemical staining for RUNX1 showed reactivity in vessels of patient-derived FVMs and angiogenic tufts in the retina of mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy, suggesting that RUNX1 upregulation is a hallmark of aberrant retinal angiogenesis. Inhibition of RUNX1 activity with the Ro5-3335 small molecule resulted in a significant reduction of neovascular tufts in oxygen-induced retinopathy, supporting the feasibility of targeting RUNX1 in aberrant retinal angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Lam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Daniel J Oh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Lindsay L Wong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Dhanesh Amarnani
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Cindy Park-Windhol
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Angie V Sanchez
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jonathan Cardona-Velez
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Declan McGuone
- C.S. Kubik Laboratory for Neuropathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | - Dean Eliott
- Retina Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Diane R Bielenberg
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Tave van Zyl
- Retina Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Lishuang Shen
- Center for Personalized Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Xiaowu Gai
- Center for Personalized Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Leo A Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Retina Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Joseph F Arboleda-Velasquez
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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19
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Huang X, Zhou G, Wu W, Ma G, D'Amore PA, Mukai S, Lei H. Editing VEGFR2 Blocks VEGF-Induced Activation of Akt and Tube Formation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 58:1228-1236. [PMID: 28241310 PMCID: PMC5338630 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.16-20537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) plays a key role in VEGF-induced angiogenesis. The goal of this project was to test the hypothesis that editing genomic VEGFR2 loci using the technology of clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated DNA endonuclease (Cas)9 in Streptococcus pyogenes (SpCas9) was able to block VEGF-induced activation of Akt and tube formation. Methods Four 20 nucleotides for synthesizing single-guide RNAs based on human genomic VEGFR2 exon 3 loci were selected and cloned into a lentiCRISPR v2 vector, respectively. The DNA fragments from the genomic VEGFR2 exon 3 of transduced primary human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRECs) were analyzed by Sanger DNA sequencing, surveyor nuclease assay, and next-generation sequencing (NGS). In the transduced cells, expression of VEGFR2 and VEGF-stimulated signaling events (e.g., Akt phosphorylation) were determined by Western blot analyses; VEGF-induced cellular responses (proliferation, migration, and tube formation) were examined. Results In the VEGFR2-sgRNA/SpCas9–transduced HRECs, Sanger DNA sequencing indicated that there were mutations, and NGS demonstrated that there were 83.57% insertion and deletions in the genomic VEGFR2 locus; expression of VEGFR2 was depleted in the VEGFR2-sgRNA/SpCas9–transduced HRECs. In addition, there were lower levels of Akt phosphorylation in HRECs with VEGFR2-sgRNA/SpCas9 than those with LacZ-sgRNA/SpCas9, and there was less VEGF-stimulated Akt activation, proliferation, migration, or tube formation in the VEGFR2-depleted HRECs than those treated with aflibercept or ranibizumab. Conclusions The CRISPR-SpCas9 technology is a potential novel approach to prevention of pathologic angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xionggao Huang
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 2Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 4Hainan Eye Hospital, Hainan Province, China
| | - Guohong Zhou
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 2Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Wenyi Wu
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 2Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Gaoen Ma
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 2Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 2Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Shizuo Mukai
- Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Hetian Lei
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 2Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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20
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Ma G, Duan Y, Huang X, Qian CX, Chee Y, Mukai S, Cui J, Samad A, Matsubara JA, Kazlauskas A, D'Amore PA, Gu S, Lei H. Prevention of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy by Suppression of Phosphatidylinositol 5-Phosphate 4-Kinases. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 57:3935-43. [PMID: 27472081 PMCID: PMC4974024 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.16-19405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Previous studies have shown that vitreous stimulates degradation of the tumor suppressor protein p53 and that knockdown of phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate 4-kinases (PI5P4Kα and -β) abrogates proliferation of p53-deficient cells. The purpose of this study was to determine whether vitreous stimulated expression of PI5P4Kα and -β and whether suppression of PI5P4Kα and -β would inhibit vitreous-induced cellular responses and experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Methods PI5P4Kα and -β encoded by PIP4K2A and 2B, respectively, in human ARPE-19 cells were knocked down by stably expressing short hairpin (sh)RNA directed at human PIP4K2A and -2B. In addition, we rescued expression of PI5P4Kα and -β by re-expressing mouse PIP4K2A and -2B in the PI5P4Kα and -β knocked-down ARPE-19 cells. Expression of PI5P4Kα and -β was determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence. The following cellular responses were monitored: cell proliferation, survival, migration, and contraction. Moreover, the cell potential of inducing PVR was examined in a rabbit model of PVR effected by intravitreal cell injection. Results We found that vitreous enhanced expression of PI5P4Kα and -β in RPE cells and that knocking down PI5P4Kα and -β abrogated vitreous-stimulated cell proliferation, survival, migration, and contraction. Re-expression of mouse PIP4Kα and -β in the human PI5P4Kα and -β knocked-down cells recovered the loss of vitreous-induced cell contraction. Importantly, suppression of PI5P4Kα and -β abrogated the pathogenesis of PVR induced by intravitreal cell injection in rabbits. Moreover, we revealed that expression of PI5P4Kα and -β was abundant in epiretinal membranes from PVR grade C patients. Conclusions The findings from this study indicate that PI5P4Kα and -β could be novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of PVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoen Ma
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 2Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 4Aier School of Ophthalmology
| | - Yajian Duan
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 2Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Xionggao Huang
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Cynthia X Qian
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Yewlin Chee
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Shizuo Mukai
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Jing Cui
- The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Arif Samad
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Andrius Kazlauskas
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Shuyan Gu
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Changsha Province, China
| | - Hetian Lei
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 3Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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Gnanaguru G, Choi AR, Amarnani D, D'Amore PA. Oxidized Lipoprotein Uptake Through the CD36 Receptor Activates the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 57:4704-12. [PMID: 27607416 PMCID: PMC5024668 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.15-18663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Accumulation of oxidized phospholipids/lipoproteins with age is suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of AMD. We investigated the effect of oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) on human RPE cells. Methods Primary human fetal RPE (hf-RPE) and ARPE-19 cells were treated with different doses of LDL or ox-LDL. Assessment of cell death was measured by lactate dehydrogenase release into the conditioned media. Barrier function of RPE was assayed by measuring transepithelial resistance. Lysosomal accumulation of ox-LDL was determined by immunostaining. Expression of CD36 was determined by RT-PCR; protein blot and function was examined by receptor blocking. NLRP3 inflammasome activation was assessed by RT-PCR, protein blot, caspase-1 fluorescent probe assay, and inhibitor assays. Results Treatment with ox-LDL, but not LDL, for 48 hours caused significant increase in hf-RPE and ARPE-19 (P < 0.001) cell death. Oxidized LDL treatment of hf-RPE cells resulted in a significant decrease in transepithelial resistance (P < 0.001 at 24 hours and P < 0.01 at 48 hours) relative to LDL-treated and control cells. Internalized ox-LDL was targeted to RPE lysosomes. Uptake of ox-LDL but not LDL significantly increased CD36 protein and mRNA levels by more than 2-fold. Reverse transcription PCR, protein blot, and caspase-1 fluorescent probe assay revealed that ox-LDL treatment induced NLRP3 inflammasome when compared with LDL treatment and control. Inhibition of NLRP3 activation using 10 μM isoliquiritigenin significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited ox-LDL induced cytotoxicity. Conclusions These data are consistent with the concept that ox-LDL play a role in the pathogenesis of AMD by NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation could attenuate RPE degeneration and AMD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopalan Gnanaguru
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 2Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Ariel R Choi
- Program in Liberal Medical Education, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
| | - Dhanesh Amarnani
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 2Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 2Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States 4Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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22
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Wong LL, Lee NG, Amarnani D, Choi CJ, Bielenberg DR, Freitag SK, D'Amore PA, Kim LA. Orbital Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis in Thyroid Eye Disease: An Analysis of Vascular Growth Factors with Clinical Correlation. Ophthalmology 2016; 123:2028-36. [PMID: 27423310 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [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: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The human orbit is an environment that is vulnerable to inflammation and edema in the setting of autoimmune thyroid disease. Our study investigated the tenet that orbital adipose tissue lacks lymphatic vessels and analyzed the clinicopathologic differences between patients with acute and chronic thyroid eye disease (TED). The underlying molecular mediators of blood and lymphatic vessel formation within the orbital fat also were evaluated. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS The study included fat specimens from 26 orbits of 15 patients with TED undergoing orbital decompression. Orbital fat specimens from patients without TED as well as cadaveric orbital fat served as controls. METHODS Tissue specimens were processed as formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections or frozen cryosections for immunohistochemistry. Total RNA was extracted and analyzed via quantitative (real-time) reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Clinicopathologic correlation was made by determining the clinical activity score (CAS) of each patient with TED. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Samples were examined for vascular and lymphatic markers including podoplanin, lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE-1), and cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) by immunohistochemistry, as well as for mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptors, semaphorin 3F, neuropilin 1, neuropilin 2, podoplanin, and LYVE-1 by quantitative (real-time) reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Clinicopathologic correlation revealed increased staining of CD31-positive blood vessels in patients with acute TED with a CAS more than 4, as well as rare staining of podoplanin-positive lymphatic vessels within acutely inflamed orbital fat tissue. Additionally, quantitative (real-time) reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated increased expression of VEGF receptor (VEGFR) 2 as well as VEGF signaling molecules VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D. CONCLUSIONS In acute TED, compared with chronic TED and control orbital fat, there is increased blood vessel density, suggesting neovascularization and rare lymphatic vessels suggestive of limited lymphangiogenesis. This proangiogenic and prolymphangiogenic microenvironment is likely the result of the increased expression of VEGFR-2, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D. These findings imply that orbital edema in acute TED may be mediated, in part, by both the formation of new, immature blood vessels and the formation of lymphatic capillaries that are functionally incapable of draining interstitial fluid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay L Wong
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nahyoung Grace Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dhanesh Amarnani
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Catherine J Choi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Diane R Bielenberg
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Suzanne K Freitag
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Leo A Kim
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Duan Y, Ma G, Huang X, D'Amore PA, Zhang F, Lei H. The Clustered, Regularly Interspaced, Short Palindromic Repeats-associated Endonuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)-created MDM2 T309G Mutation Enhances Vitreous-induced Expression of MDM2 and Proliferation and Survival of Cells. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:16339-47. [PMID: 27246850 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.729467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The G309 allele of SNPs in the mouse double minute (MDM2) promoter locus is associated with a higher risk of cancer and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), but whether SNP G309 contributes to the pathogenesis of PVR is to date unknown. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated endonuclease (Cas) 9 from Streptococcus pyogenes (SpCas9) can be harnessed to manipulate a single or multiple nucleotides in mammalian cells. Here we delivered SpCas9 and guide RNAs using dual adeno-associated virus-derived vectors to target the MDM2 genomic locus together with a homologous repair template for creating the mutation of MDM2 T309G in human primary retinal pigment epithelial (hPRPE) cells whose genotype is MDM2 T309T. The next-generation sequencing results indicated that there was 42.51% MDM2 G309 in the edited hPRPE cells using adeno-associated viral CRISPR/Cas9. Our data showed that vitreous induced an increase in MDM2 and subsequent attenuation of p53 expression in MDM2 T309G hPRPE cells. Furthermore, our experimental results demonstrated that MDM2 T309G in hPRPE cells enhanced vitreous-induced cell proliferation and survival, suggesting that this SNP contributes to the pathogenesis of PVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajian Duan
- From the Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, and Departments of Ophthalmology and the Shanxi Eye Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030000, China
| | - Gaoen Ma
- From the Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, and Departments of Ophthalmology and
| | - Xionggao Huang
- From the Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, and Departments of Ophthalmology and
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- From the Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, and Departments of Ophthalmology and Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
| | - Feng Zhang
- the Broad Institute of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, and
| | - Hetian Lei
- From the Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, and Departments of Ophthalmology and
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24
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Abstract
Abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina is a hallmark of many retinal diseases, such as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and the wet form of age-related macular degeneration. In particular, ROP has been an important health concern for physicians since the advent of routine supplemental oxygen therapy for premature neonates more than 70 years ago. Since then, researchers have explored several animal models to better understand ROP and retinal vascular development. Of these models, the mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) has become the most widely used, and has played a pivotal role in our understanding of retinal angiogenesis and ocular immunology, as well as in the development of groundbreaking therapeutics such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections for wet age-related macular degeneration. Numerous refinements to the model have been made since its inception in the 1950s, and technological advancements have expanded the use of the model across multiple scientific fields. In this review, we explore the historical developments that have led to the mouse OIR model utilized today, essential concepts of OIR, limitations of the model, and a representative selection of key findings from OIR, with particular emphasis on current research progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clifford B Kim
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School; Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear; Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kip M Connor
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School
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25
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Abstract
The endothelial barrier maintains vascular and tissue homeostasis and modulates many physiological processes, such as angiogenesis. Vascular barrier integrity can be disrupted by a variety of soluble permeability factors, and changes in barrier function can exacerbate tissue damage during disease progression. Understanding endothelial barrier function is critical for vascular homeostasis. Many of the signaling pathways promoting vascular permeability can also be triggered during disease, resulting in prolonged or uncontrolled vascular leak. It is believed that recovery of the normal vasculature requires diminishing this hyperpermeable state. Although the molecular mechanisms governing vascular leak have been studied over the last few decades, recent advances have identified new therapeutic targets that have begun to show preclinical and clinical promise. These approaches have been successfully applied to an increasing number of disease conditions. New perspectives regarding how vascular leak impacts the progression of various diseases are highlighted in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Park-Windhol
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; , .,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; , .,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.,Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
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26
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Zahr A, Alcaide P, Yang J, Jones A, Gregory M, dela Paz NG, Patel-Hett S, Nevers T, Koirala A, Luscinskas FW, Saint-Geniez M, Ksander B, D'Amore PA, Argüeso P. Endomucin prevents leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion and has a critical role under resting and inflammatory conditions. Nat Commun 2016; 7:10363. [PMID: 26831939 PMCID: PMC4740757 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Endomucin is a membrane-bound glycoprotein expressed luminally by endothelial cells that line postcapillary venules, a primary site of leukocyte recruitment during inflammation. Here we show that endomucin abrogation on quiescent endothelial cells enables neutrophils to adhere firmly, via LFA-1-mediated binding to ICAM-1 constitutively expressed by endothelial cells. Moreover, TNF-α stimulation downregulates cell surface expression of endomucin concurrent with increased expression of adhesion molecules. Adenovirus-mediated expression of endomucin under inflammatory conditions prevents neutrophil adhesion in vitro and reduces the infiltration of CD45+ and NIMP-R14+ cells in vivo. These results indicate that endomucin prevents leukocyte contact with adhesion molecules in non-inflamed tissues and that downregulation of endomucin is critical to facilitate adhesion of leukocytes into inflamed tissues. Endomucin is expressed by endothelial cells that line postcapillary venules—the site of leukocyte recruitment during inflammation. Zahr et al. show that endomucin is an anti-adhesive molecule that is downregulated by the cytokine TNF-a and thereby helps in the transition from a quiescent to a pro-adhesive inflamed endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisar Zahr
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Pilar Alcaide
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Jinling Yang
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Alexander Jones
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Meredith Gregory
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Nathaniel G dela Paz
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Sunita Patel-Hett
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Tania Nevers
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Adarsha Koirala
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Francis W Luscinskas
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Magali Saint-Geniez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Bruce Ksander
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.,Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Pablo Argüeso
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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27
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Abstract
Coculture assays allow the investigation of the role of endothelial cell and mural cell interactions in small vessel development and function. Different setups for coculture can be used to assay questions of interest. We include here methods for direct coculture, indirect coculture, and coculture in a three-dimensional extracellular matrix scaffold for studies of either a simple and direct association between the two cell types, the exchange of soluble molecules, or the interaction within a biomimetic tissue microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Sánchez-Palencia
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Alex Bigger-Allen
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Magali Saint-Geniez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph F Arboleda-Velásquez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Abstract
Pericytes, the mural cells that constitute the capillaries along with endothelial cells, have been associated with the pathobiology of diabetic retinopathy; however, therapeutic implications of this association remain largely unexplored. Pericytes appear to be highly susceptible to the metabolic challenges associated with a diabetic environment, and there is substantial evidence that their loss may contribute to microvascular instability leading to the formation of microaneurysms, microhemorrhages, acellular capillaries, and capillary nonperfusion. Since pericytes are strategically located at the interface between the vascular and neural components of the retina, they offer extraordinary opportunities for therapeutic interventions in diabetic retinopathy. Moreover, the availability of novel imaging methodologies now allows for the in vivo visualization of pericytes, enabling a new generation of clinical trials that use pericyte tracking as clinical endpoints. The recognition of multiple signaling mechanisms involved in pericyte development and survival should allow for a renewed interest in pericytes as a therapeutic target for diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph F Arboleda-Velasquez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
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Valdez CN, Arboleda-Velasquez JF, Amarnani DS, Kim LA, D'Amore PA. Retinal microangiopathy in a mouse model of inducible mural cell loss. Am J Pathol 2014; 184:2618-26. [PMID: 25092275 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2014.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes can lead to vision loss because of progressive degeneration of the neurovascular unit in the retina, a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. In its early stages, the pathology is characterized by microangiopathies, including microaneurysms, microhemorrhages, and nerve layer infarcts known as cotton-wool spots. Analyses of postmortem human retinal tissue and retinas from animal models indicate that degeneration of the pericytes, which constitute the outer layer of capillaries, is an early event in diabetic retinopathy; however, the relative contribution of specific cellular components to the pathobiology of diabetic retinopathy remains to be defined. We investigated the phenotypic consequences of pericyte death on retinal microvascular integrity by using nondiabetic mice conditionally expressing a diphtheria toxin receptor in mural cells. Five days after administering diphtheria toxin in these adult mice, changes were observed in the retinal vasculature that were similar to those observed in diabetes, including microaneurysms and increased vascular permeability, suggesting that pericyte cell loss is sufficient to trigger retinal microvascular degeneration. Therapies aimed at preventing or delaying pericyte dropout may avoid or attenuate the retinal microangiopathy associated with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cammi N Valdez
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph F Arboleda-Velasquez
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dhanesh S Amarnani
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Leo A Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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30
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Arboleda-Velasquez JF, Primo V, Graham M, James A, Manent J, D'Amore PA. Notch signaling functions in retinal pericyte survival. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 55:5191-9. [PMID: 25015359 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.14-14046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Pericytes, the vascular cells that constitute the outer layer of capillaries, have been shown to have a crucial role in vascular development and stability. Loss of pericytes precedes endothelial cell dysfunction and vascular degeneration in small-vessel diseases, including diabetic retinopathy. Despite their clinical relevance, the cellular pathways controlling survival of retinal pericytes remain largely uncharacterized. Therefore, we investigated the role of Notch signaling, a master regulator of cell fate decisions, in retinal pericyte survival. METHODS A coculture system of ligand-dependent Notch signaling was developed using primary cultured retinal pericytes and a mesenchymal cell line derived from an inducible mouse model expressing the Delta-like 1 Notch ligand. This model was used to examine the effect of Notch activity on pericyte survival using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and a light-induced cell death assay. The effect of Notch gain- and loss-of-function was analyzed in monocultures of retinal pericytes using antibody arrays to interrogate the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. RESULTS Primary cultured retinal pericytes differentially expressed key molecules of the Notch pathway and displayed strong expression of canonical Notch/RBPJK (recombination signal-binding protein 1 for J-kappa) downstream targets. A gene expression screen using gain- and loss-of-function approaches identified genes relevant to cell survival as downstream targets of Notch activity in retinal pericytes. Ligand-mediated Notch activity protected retinal pericytes from light-induced cell death. CONCLUSIONS Our results have identified signature genes downstream of Notch activity in retinal pericytes and suggest that tight regulation of Notch signaling is crucial for pericyte survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph F Arboleda-Velasquez
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Vincent Primo
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Mark Graham
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra James
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Manent
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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Kim LA, Amarnani D, Gnanaguru G, Tseng WA, Vavvas DG, D'Amore PA. Tamoxifen toxicity in cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells is mediated by concurrent regulated cell death mechanisms. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 55:4747-58. [PMID: 24994868 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.13-13662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the mechanism of tamoxifen-induced cell death in human cultured RPE cells, and to investigate concurrent cell death mechanisms including pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis. METHODS Human RPE cells were cultured until confluence and treated with tamoxifen; cell death was measured by detecting LDH release. Tamoxifen-induced cell death was further confirmed by 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD) and annexin V staining. Lysosomal destabilization was assessed using lysosomal-associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP-1) and acridine orange staining. The roles of lysosomal enzymes cathepsin B and L were examined by blocking their activity. Caspase activity was evaluated by caspase-1, -3, -8, and -9 specific inhibition. Cells were primed with IL-1α and treated with tamoxifen; mature IL-1β production was quantified via ELISA. Caspase activity was verified with the fluorochrome-labeled inhibitor of caspases (FLICA) probe specific for each caspase. Regulated cell necrosis or necroptosis was examined with 7-AAD and inhibition of receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) kinase using necrostatin-1 (Nec-1). RESULTS Cell death occurred within 2 hours of tamoxifen treatment of confluent RPE cells and was accompanied by lysosomal membrane permeabilization. Blockade of cathepsin B and L activity led to a significant decrease in cell death, indicating that lysosomal destabilization and cathepsin release occur prior to regulated cell death. Tamoxifen-induced toxicity was shown to occur through both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent cell death pathways. Treatment of RPE cells with caspase inhibitors and Nec-1 resulted in a near complete rescue from cell death. CONCLUSIONS Tamoxifen-induced cell death occurs through concurrent regulated cell death mechanisms. Simultaneous inhibition of caspase-dependent and caspase-independent cell death pathways is required to protect cells from tamoxifen. Inhibition of upstream activators, such as the cathepsins, may represent a novel approach to block multiple cell death pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo A Kim
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Dhanesh Amarnani
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Gopalan Gnanaguru
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Wen Allen Tseng
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Demetrios G Vavvas
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are continuously exposed to blood flow that contributes to the maintenance of vessel structure and function; however, the effect of hemodynamic forces on transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling in the endothelium is poorly described. We examined the potential role of TGF-β signaling in mediating the protective effects of shear stress on ECs. APPROACH AND RESULTS Human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) exposed to shear stress were compared with cells grown under static conditions. Signaling through the TGF-β receptor ALK5 was inhibited with SB525334. Cells were examined for morphological changes and harvested for analysis by real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, apoptosis, proliferation, and immunocytochemistry. Shear stress resulted in ALK5-dependent alignment of HUVECs as well as attenuation of apoptosis and proliferation compared with static controls. Shear stress led to an ALK5-dependent increase in TGF-β3 and Krüppel-like factor 2, phosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase, and NO release. Addition of the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine rescued the cells from apoptosis attributable to ALK5 inhibition under shear stress. Knockdown of TGF-β3, but not TGF-β1, disrupted the HUVEC monolayer and prevented the induction of Krüppel-like factor 2 by shear. CONCLUSIONS Shear stress of HUVECs induces TGF-β3 signaling and subsequent activation of Krüppel-like factor 2 and NO, and represents a novel role for TGF-β3 in the maintenance of HUVEC homeostasis in a hemodynamic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony E Walshe
- From the Departments of Ophthalmology (T.E.W., N.G.d.P., P.A.D.) and Pathology (P.A.D.), Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston; and La Jolla Bioengineering Institute, San Diego, CA (N.G.d.P.)
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Bagchi M, Kim LA, Boucher J, Walshe TE, Kahn CR, D'Amore PA. Vascular endothelial growth factor is important for brown adipose tissue development and maintenance. FASEB J 2013; 27:3257-71. [PMID: 23682123 DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-221812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is critical for angiogenesis, but also has pleiotropic effects on several nonvascular cells. Our aim was to investigate the role of VEGF in brown adipose tissue (BAT). We show that VEGF expression increases 2.5-fold during differentiation of cultured murine brown adipocytes and that VEGF receptor-2 is phosphorylated, indicating VEGF signaling. VEGF increased proliferation in brown preadipocytes in vitro by 70%, and blockade of VEGF signaling using anti-VEGFR2 antibody DC101 increased brown adipocyte apoptosis, as determined by cell number and activation of caspase 3. Systemic VEGF neutralization in mice, accomplished by adenoviral expression of soluble Flt1, resulted in 7-fold increase in brown adipocyte apoptosis, mitochondrial degeneration, and increased mitophagy compared to control mice expressing a null adenovirus. Absence of the heparan sulfate-binding VEGF isoforms, VEGF164 and VEGF188, resulted in abnormal BAT development in mice at E15.5, with fewer brown adipocytes and lower mitochondrial protein compared to wild-type littermates. These results suggest a role for VEGF in brown adipocytes and preadipocytes to promote survival, proliferation, and normal mitochondria and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandrita Bagchi
- Department of Pathology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Yang J, Zahr A, Alcaide P, Jones A, Gregory‐Ksander M, Luscinskas FW, Ksander B, Argueso P, D'Amore PA. A role for endomucin‐1 in maintaining a non‐inflammatory endothelial surface and in the regulation of leukocyte‐endothelial cell interactions. FASEB J 2013. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.57.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jinling Yang
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear InfirmaryBostonMA
- Department of OphthalmologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA
| | - Alisar Zahr
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear InfirmaryBostonMA
- Department of OphthalmologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA
| | - Pilar Alcaide
- Molecular Cardiology Research InstituteTufts Medical CenterBostonMA
| | - Alexander Jones
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear InfirmaryBostonMA
| | - Meredith Gregory‐Ksander
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear InfirmaryBostonMA
- Department of OphthalmologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA
| | - Francis W. Luscinskas
- Vascular Research DivisionBrigham And Women's Hospital andDepartment of PathologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA
| | - Bruce Ksander
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear InfirmaryBostonMA
- Department of OphthalmologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA
| | - Pablo Argueso
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear InfirmaryBostonMA
- Department of OphthalmologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA
| | - Patricia A D'Amore
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear InfirmaryBostonMA
- Department of OphthalmologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMA
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane R Bielenberg
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Tseng WA, Thein T, Kinnunen K, Lashkari K, Gregory MS, D'Amore PA, Ksander BR. NLRP3 inflammasome activation in retinal pigment epithelial cells by lysosomal destabilization: implications for age-related macular degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2013; 54:110-20. [PMID: 23221073 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.12-10655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of lysosomal destabilization on NLRP3 inflammasome activation in RPE cells and to investigate the mechanisms by which inflammasome activation may contribute to the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS Human ocular tissue sections from patients with geographic atrophy or neovascular AMD were stained for NLRP3 and compared to tissues from age-matched controls. Expression of the IL-1β precursor, pro-IL-1β, was induced in ARPE-19 cells by IL-1α treatment. Immunoblotting was performed to assess expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components (NLRP3, ASC, and procaspase-1) and pro-IL-1β in ARPE-19 cells. Lysosomes were destabilized using the lysosomotropic agent L-leucyl-L-leucine methyl ester (Leu-Leu-OMe). Active caspase-1 was detected using FAM-YVAD-FMK, a fluorescent-labeled inhibitor of caspases (FLICA) specific for caspase-1. IL-1β was detected by immunoblotting and ELISA, and cytotoxicity was evaluated by LDH quantification. RESULTS RPE of eyes affected by geographic atrophy or neovascular AMD exhibited NLRP3 staining at lesion sites. ARPE-19 cells were found to express NLRP3, ASC, and procaspase-1. IL-1α dose-dependently induced pro-IL-1β expression in ARPE-19 cells. Lysosomal destabilization induced by Leu-Leu-OMe triggered caspase-1 activation, IL-1β secretion, and ARPE-19 cell death. Blocking Leu-Leu-OMe-induced lysosomal disruption with the compound Gly-Phe-CHN(2) or inhibiting caspase-1 with Z-YVAD-FMK abrogated IL-1β release and ARPE-19 cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS NLRP3 upregulation occurs in the RPE during the pathogenesis of advanced AMD, in both geographic atrophy and neovascular AMD. Destabilization of RPE lysosomes induces NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which may contribute to AMD pathology through the release of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β and through caspase-1-mediated cell death, known as "pyroptosis."
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Allen Tseng
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE The role of VEGF-A in the normal ciliary body is largely unexplored. The ciliary body is similar in many respects to the choroid plexus of the brain, and we demonstrated previously the importance of VEGF-A in maintenance of choroid plexus vasculature and ependymal cells. Therefore, the role of VEGF-A in ciliary body homeostasis was explored. METHODS Swiss-Webster mice (VEGF-LacZ) were used to determine VEGF-A expression during ciliary body development and in the adult. VEGFR2 expression was determined in adult wild type C56BL/6J mice. Systemic VEGF-A neutralization in vivo was achieved with adenovirus-mediated overexpression of soluble VEGFR1 (sFlt1). Following VEGF-A neutralization, the ciliary epithelium was analyzed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effect of VEGF-A blockade on ciliary body function also was assessed by measuring intraocular pressure. RESULTS VEGF-A expression was detected at embryonic day 18.5 (E18.5), the onset of ciliary process formation. In the adult ciliary body, VEGF-A was expressed by the pigmented epithelium, whereas VEGFR2 was localized primarily to the capillary endothelium and nonpigmented epithelium. Systemic VEGF-A neutralization led to a thinning of the nonpigmented epithelium, vacuolization of the pigmented epithelium, loss of capillary fenestrations, and thrombosis. These changes were associated with impaired ciliary body function, as evidenced by decreased intraocular pressure in sFlt1-overexpressing animals (15.31 ± 2.06 mm Hg) relative to controls (18.69 ± 1.49 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS VEGF-A has an important role in ciliary body homeostasis. Potential for undesired off-target effects should be considered with the chronic use of anti-VEGF-A therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knatokie M Ford
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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Kim LA, D'Amore PA. A brief history of anti-VEGF for the treatment of ocular angiogenesis. Am J Pathol 2012; 181:376-9. [PMID: 22749677 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2012] [Revised: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 06/25/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In 1994, The American Journal of Pathology published a key article reporting that hypoxic retina produces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), suggesting a role for VEGF in ocular neovascularization. Subsequent developments in anti-VEGF treatment for neovascular eye disease have improved visual outcomes and changed the standard of care in retinal medicine and ophthalmology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo A Kim
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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Maruyama K, Nakazawa T, Cursiefen C, Maruyama Y, Van Rooijen N, D'Amore PA, Kinoshita S. The maintenance of lymphatic vessels in the cornea is dependent on the presence of macrophages. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2012; 53:3145-53. [PMID: 22511631 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.11-8010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE It has been shown previously that the presence in the cornea of antigen-presenting cells (APC), such as macrophages (MPS) and lymphangiogenesis, is a risk for corneal transplantation. We sought to determine whether the existence of lymphatic vessels in the non-inflamed cornea is associated with the presence of MPS. METHODS Flat mounts were prepared from corneas of untreated C57BL/6, CD11b(-/-), F4/80(-/-), and BALB/c mice, and after suture placement or corneal transplantation, observed by immunofluorescence for the presence of lymphatic vessels using LYVE-1 as a marker of lymphatic endothelium. Innate immune cells were detected in normal mouse corneas using CD11b, F4/80, CD40, as well as MHC-class II. Digital images of the flat mounts were taken using a spot image analysis system, and the area covered by lymphatic vessels was measured using NIH Image software. RESULTS The number of spontaneous lymphatic vessels in C57BL/6 corneas was significantly greater than in BALB/c corneas (P = 0.03). There were more CD11b(+) (P < 0.01) and CD40(+), MHC-class II (+) cells in the C57BL/6 corneas than in BALB/c mouse corneas. MPS depletion via clodronate liposome in C57BL/6 mice led to fewer spontaneous lymphatic vessels and reduced inflammation-induced lymphangiogenesis relative to control mice. Mice deficient in CD11b or F4/80 had fewer spontaneous lymphatic vessels and less lymphangiogenesis than control C57BL/6 mice. CONCLUSIONS C57BL/6 mouse corneas have more endogenous CD11b(+) cells and lymphatic vessels. The endogenous lymphatic vessels, along with pro-inflammatory MPS, account for the high risk of corneal graft rejection in C57BL/6 mice. CD11b(+) and F4/80(+) MPS appear to have an important role in of the formation of new lymphatic vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuichi Maruyama
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
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Cao Y, Arbiser J, D'Amato RJ, D'Amore PA, Ingber DE, Kerbel R, Klagsbrun M, Lim S, Moses MA, Zetter B, Dvorak H, Langer R. Forty-year journey of angiogenesis translational research. Sci Transl Med 2012; 3:114rv3. [PMID: 22190240 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3003149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Forty years ago, Judah Folkman predicted that tumor growth is dependent on angiogenesis and that inhibiting this process might be a new strategy for cancer therapy. This hypothesis formed the foundation of a new field of research that represents an excellent example of how a groundbreaking scientific discovery can be translated to yield benefits for patients. Today, antiangiogenic drugs are used to treat human cancers and retinal vascular diseases. Here, we guide readers through 40 years of angiogenesis research and discuss challenges of antiangiogenic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihai Cao
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
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dela Paz NG, Walshe TE, Leach LL, Saint-Geniez M, D'Amore PA. Role of shear-stress-induced VEGF expression in endothelial cell survival. J Cell Sci 2012; 125:831-43. [PMID: 22399811 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.084301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a crucial role in developmental and pathological angiogenesis. Expression of VEGF in quiescent adult tissue suggests a potential role in the maintenance of mature blood vessels. We demonstrate, using a Vegf-lacZ reporter mouse model, that VEGF is expressed by arterial but not by venous or capillary endothelial cells (ECs) in vivo. Using an in vitro model, we show that arterial shear stress of human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) decreases apoptosis and increases VEGF expression, which is mediated by the induction of Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2). Additionally, shear stress stimulates the expression of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and is associated with its activation. Knockdown of VEGF in shear stressed HUVECs blocks the protective effect of shear stress, resulting in EC apoptosis equivalent to that in control ECs cultured under static conditions. Similarly, treatment of ECs subjected to arterial shear stress with the VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU1498, or VEGFR2 neutralizing antiserum, led to increased apoptosis, demonstrating that the mechanoprotection from increased shear is mediated by VEGFR2. Taken together, these studies suggest that arterial flow induces VEGF-VEGFR2 autocrine-juxtacrine signaling, which is a previously unidentified mechanism for vascular EC survival in adult arterial blood vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel G dela Paz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusett Eye and Ear, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Panigrahy D, Edin ML, Lee CR, Huang S, Bielenberg DR, Butterfield CE, Barnés CM, Mammoto A, Mammoto T, Luria A, Benny O, Chaponis DM, Dudley AC, Greene ER, Vergilio JA, Pietramaggiori G, Scherer-Pietramaggiori SS, Short SM, Seth M, Lih FB, Tomer KB, Yang J, Schwendener RA, Hammock BD, Falck JR, Manthati VL, Ingber DE, Kaipainen A, D'Amore PA, Kieran MW, Zeldin DC. Epoxyeicosanoids stimulate multiorgan metastasis and tumor dormancy escape in mice. J Clin Invest 2011; 122:178-91. [PMID: 22182838 DOI: 10.1172/jci58128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2011] [Accepted: 10/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are small molecules produced by cytochrome P450 epoxygenases. They are lipid mediators that act as autocrine or paracrine factors to regulate inflammation and vascular tone. As a result, drugs that raise EET levels are in clinical trials for the treatment of hypertension and many other diseases. However, despite their pleiotropic effects on cells, little is known about the role of these epoxyeicosanoids in cancer. Here, using genetic and pharmacological manipulation of endogenous EET levels, we demonstrate that EETs are critical for primary tumor growth and metastasis in a variety of mouse models of cancer. Remarkably, we found that EETs stimulated extensive multiorgan metastasis and escape from tumor dormancy in several tumor models. This systemic metastasis was not caused by excessive primary tumor growth but depended on endothelium-derived EETs at the site of metastasis. Administration of synthetic EETs recapitulated these results, while EET antagonists suppressed tumor growth and metastasis, demonstrating in vivo that pharmacological modulation of EETs can affect cancer growth. Furthermore, inhibitors of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), the enzyme that metabolizes EETs, elevated endogenous EET levels and promoted primary tumor growth and metastasis. Thus, our data indicate a central role for EETs in tumorigenesis, offering a mechanistic link between lipid signaling and cancer and emphasizing the critical importance of considering possible effects of EET-modulating drugs on cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipak Panigrahy
- Vascular Biology Program, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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Ford KM, Saint-Geniez M, Walshe T, Zahr A, D'Amore PA. Expression and role of VEGF in the adult retinal pigment epithelium. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2011; 52:9478-87. [PMID: 22058334 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.11-8353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite a lack of active angiogenesis, VEGF is expressed in nearly every adult tissue, and recent evidence suggests that VEGF may serve as a survival factor for both vascular and nonvascular tissues. VEGF blockade is a widely used treatment for neovascular diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Therefore, it was sought in this study to evaluate the expression and role of endogenous VEGF in RPE. METHODS VEGF and VEGFR2 expression in the murine retina were assessed during development. Bevacizumab was used to neutralize VEGF in ARPE-19 cells, and the effects on cell survival and apical microvill were assessed by TUNEL and SEM, respectively. VEGF was systemically neutralized in vivo by adenoviral-mediated overexpression of soluble VEGFR1 (sFlt). RPE and choriocapillaris were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Changes in gene expression were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS VEGF expression was detected in the developing RPE as early as embryonic day (E) 9.5, whereas VEGFR2 expression by RPE began nonuniformly between postnatal (P) day 6.5 and P8.5. VEGF neutralization in vitro led to increased apoptosis and reduced microvilli density and length. Systemic VEGF neutralization led to transient degenerative changes; RPE were vacuolated and separated from photoreceptor outer segments, and choriocapillaris fenestrations were decreased. VEGF levels were elevated in RPE of Ad-sFlt1 mice at day 4 postinfection, and there was increased expression of the neurotrophic factor CD59a at day 14. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that VEGF plays a critical role in survival and maintenance of RPE integrity. Potential undesired off-target effects should be considered with chronic use of anti-VEGF agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knatokie M Ford
- Schepens Eye Research Institute/Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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Sekiyama E, Saint-Geniez M, Yoneda K, Hisatomi T, Nakao S, Walshe TE, Maruyama K, Hafezi-Moghadam A, Miller JW, Kinoshita S, D'Amore PA. Heat treatment of retinal pigment epithelium induces production of elastic lamina components and antiangiogenic activity. FASEB J 2011; 26:567-75. [PMID: 22067481 PMCID: PMC4090388 DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-184127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the Western world. In advanced AMD, new vessels from choriocapillaris (CC) invade through the Bruch's membrane (BrM) into the retina, forming choroidal neovascularization (CNV). BrM, an elastic lamina that is located between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and CC, is thought to act as a physical and functional barrier against CNV. The BrM of patients with early AMD are characterized by decreased levels of antiangiogenic factors, including endostatin, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), as well as by degeneration of the elastic layer. Motivated by a previous report that heat increases elastin expression in human skin, we examined the effect of heat on human ARPE-19 cell production of BrM components. Heat treatment stimulated the production of BrM components, including TSP-1, PEDF, and tropoelastin in vitro and increased the antiangiogenic activity of RPE measured in a mouse corneal pocket assay. The effect of heat on experimental CNV was investigated by pretreating the retina with heat via infrared diode laser prior to the induction of CNV. Heat treatment blocked the development of experimental CNV in vivo. These findings suggest that heat treatment may restore BrM integrity and barrier function against new vessel growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiichi Sekiyama
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Abstract
The vasculature is a highly specialized organ that functions in a number of key physiological tasks including the transport of oxygen and nutrients to tissues. Formation of the vascular system is an essential and rate-limiting step in development and occurs primarily through two main mechanisms, vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Both vasculogenesis, the de novo formation of vessels, and angiogenesis, the growth of new vessels from pre-existing vessels by sprouting, are complex processes that are mediated by the precise coordination of multiple cell types to form and remodel the vascular system. A host of signaling molecules and their interaction with specific receptors are central to activating and modulating vessel formation. This review article summarizes the current state of research involving signaling molecules that have been demonstrated to function in the regulation of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, as well as molecules known to play a role in vessel maturation, hypoxia-driven angiogenesis and arterial-venous specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunita Patel-Hett
- Department of Ophthalmology and Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Darland DC, Cain JT, Berosik MA, Saint-Geniez M, Odens PW, Schaubhut GJ, Frisch S, Stemmer-Rachamimov A, Darland T, D'Amore PA. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoform regulation of early forebrain development. Dev Biol 2011; 358:9-22. [PMID: 21803034 PMCID: PMC3189089 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2011.06.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2010] [Revised: 06/07/2011] [Accepted: 06/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
This work was designed to determine the role of the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) isoforms during early neuroepithelial development in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), specifically in the forebrain. An emerging model of interdependence between neural and vascular systems includes VEGF, with its dual roles as a potent angiogenesis factor and neural regulator. Although a number of studies have implicated VEGF in CNS development, little is known about the role that the different VEGF isoforms play in early neurogenesis. We used a mouse model of disrupted VEGF isoform expression that eliminates the predominant brain isoform, VEGF164, and expresses only the diffusible form, VEGF120. We tested the hypothesis that VEGF164 plays a key role in controlling neural precursor populations in developing cortex. We used microarray analysis to compare gene expression differences between wild type and VEGF120 mice at E9.5, the primitive stem cell stage of the neuroepithelium. We quantified changes in PHH3-positive nuclei, neural stem cell markers (Pax6 and nestin) and the Tbr2-positive intermediate progenitors at E11.5 when the neural precursor population is expanding rapidly. Absence of VEGF164 (and VEGF188) leads to reduced proliferation without an apparent effect on the number of Tbr2-positive cells. There is a corresponding reduction in the number of mitotic spindles that are oriented parallel to the ventricular surface relative to those with a vertical or oblique angle. These results support a role for the VEGF isoforms in supporting the neural precursor population of the early neuroepithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane C Darland
- University of North Dakota, Department of Biology, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA.
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Walshe TE, Leach LL, D'Amore PA. TGF-β signaling is required for maintenance of retinal ganglion cell differentiation and survival. Neuroscience 2011; 189:123-31. [PMID: 21664439 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2011] [Revised: 04/11/2011] [Accepted: 05/11/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the role of TGF-β1 in the maintenance of retinal ganglion cell line (RGC-5) differentiation and integrity. METHODS RGC-5 cells were differentiated in media conditioned by human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells (HNPE) for 4 days before treatment with TGF-β1 for 24 h. Cells were examined for morphological changes and harvested for western blot and real-time PCR analysis. For study of apoptosis, differentiated RGC-5 cells were grown in serum-free medium for 24 h in the presence or absence of TGF-β1 and collected for Annexin V/Propidium iodide FACs analysis. The role of MAPK pathways in TGF-β1-dependent signaling was determined by treatment with specific inhibitors of ERK, JNK and p38. RESULTS Differentiation of RGC-5 cells in HNPE-conditioned media (CM) increased the neural cell markers, Brn-3c, NF-160, Thy1.2, Tau and PGP9.5. Treatment with TGF-β1 significantly increased the length of neurites extended by differentiated RGC-5s, concomitant with increased expression of NF-160 and PGP9.5, but not Brn-3c, Thy1.2 or Tau. TGF-β1 also decreased RGC-5 cell apoptosis in serum-free medium. p38 phosphorylation, but not smad2/3, JNK or ERK phosphorylation, was increased in TGF-β1 treated cells. Specific inhibition of p38 signaling reversed TGF-β1 induced neurite growth. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate the induction of RGC-5 cell differentiation by HNPE-derived CM and illustrate a role for TGF-β1 in maintaining RGC-5 cell survival and promoting neurite outgrowth through p38 MAPK.
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Affiliation(s)
- T E Walshe
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Schepens Eye Research Institute, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Wang H, Geisen P, Wittchen ES, King B, Burridge K, D'Amore PA, Hartnett ME. The role of RPE cell-associated VEGF₁₈₉ in choroidal endothelial cell transmigration across the RPE. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2011; 52:570-8. [PMID: 20811045 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.10-5595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the role of vascular endothelial growth factor 189 (VEGF₁₈₉) in choroidal endothelial cell (CEC) migration across the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and to explore the molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS Using real-time PCR, the expression of VEGF splice variants VEGF₁₂₁, VEGF₁₆₅, and VEGF₁₈₉ was determined in human RPE from donor eyes, cultured human RPE in contact with CECs exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) or hypoxia, and RPE/choroid specimens from mice treated with laser to induce choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Activation of VEGF receptors (VEGFRs), phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) or Rac1 was measured in CECs cocultured in contact with RPE exposed to peroxide or silenced for VEGF₁₈₉ expression. Migration of CECs across the RPE was determined using fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS VEGF₁₈₉ expression was increased in human RPE from aged compared with young donor eyes and from mouse RPE/choroids after laser to induce CNV. VEGF₁₈₉ was also upregulated in human RPE challenged with peroxide, hypoxia, or cultured in contact with CECs. CEC migration across RPE was greater after RPE exposure to peroxide to induce VEGF₁₈₉; VEGFR2 and Rac1 activities were also increased in these CECs. When CECs were cocultured with RPE silenced for VEGF₁₈₉, VEGFR2 and Rac1 activities in CECs were significantly reduced, as was CEC migration across the RPE. Inhibition of Rac1 activity significantly inhibited CEC transmigration without affecting PI-3K activity. CONCLUSIONS RPE-derived cell-associated VEGF₁₈₉ facilitates CEC transmigration by Rac1 activation independently of PI-3K signaling and may have importance in the development of neovascular AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Lee YJ, Karl DL, Maduekwe UN, Rothrock C, Ryeom S, D'Amore PA, Yoon SS. Differential effects of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 inhibition on tumor metastases based on host organ environment. Cancer Res 2010; 70:8357-67. [PMID: 20978198 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-1138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tumors induce new blood vessel growth primarily from host organ microvascular endothelial cells (EC), and microvasculature differs significantly between the lung and liver. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF or VEGF-A) promotion of tumor angiogenesis is thought to be mediated primarily by VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). In this study, VEGFR-2 antibody (DC101) inhibited growth of RenCa renal cell carcinoma lung metastases by 26%, whereas VEGFR-1 antibody (MF-1) had no effect. However, VEGFR-2 neutralization had no effect on RenCa liver metastases, whereas VEGFR-1 neutralization decreased RenCa liver metastases by 31%. For CT26 colon carcinoma liver metastases, inhibition of both VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 was required to induce growth delay. VEGFR-1 or VEGFR-2 inhibition decreased tumor burden not by preventing the establishment of micrometastases but rather by preventing vascularization and growth of micrometastases by 55% and 43%, respectively. VEGF induced greater phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 in lung ECs and of VEGFR-1 in liver ECs. EC proliferation, migration, and capillary tube formation in vitro were suppressed more by VEGFR-2 inhibition for lung EC and more by VEGFR-1 inhibition for liver EC. Collectively, our results indicate that liver metastases are more reliant on VEGFR-1 than lung metastases to mediate angiogenesis due to differential activity of VEGFRs on liver EC versus lung EC. Thus, therapies inhibiting specific VEGFRs should consider the targeted sites of metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon-Jin Lee
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Bryan BA, Dennstedt E, Mitchell DC, Walshe TE, Noma K, Loureiro R, Saint-Geniez M, Campaigniac JP, Liao JK, D'Amore PA. RhoA/ROCK signaling is essential for multiple aspects of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis. FASEB J 2010; 24:3186-95. [PMID: 20400538 DOI: 10.1096/fj.09-145102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The small GTPase RhoA and its downstream effectors, ROCK1 and ROCK2, regulate a number of cellular processes, including cell motility, proliferation, survival, and permeability. Pharmacological inhibitors of the Rho pathway reportedly block angiogenesis; however, the molecular details of this inhibition are largely unknown. We demonstrate that vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF) rapidly induces RhoA activation in endothelial cells (ECs). Moreover, the pharmacological inhibition of ROCK1/2 using 10 microM Y-27632 (the IC(50) for this compound in ECs) strongly disrupts vasculogenesis in pluripotent embryonic stem cell cultures, VEGF-mediated regenerative angiogenesis in ex vivo retinal explants, and VEGF-mediated in vitro EC tube formation. Furthermore, using small interfering RNA knockdown and mouse heterozygote knockouts of ROCK1 and ROCK2, we provide data indicating that VEGF-driven angiogenesis is largely mediated through ROCK2. These data demonstrate that Rho/ROCK signaling is an important mediator in a number of angiogenic processes, including EC migration, survival, and cell permeability, and suggest that Rho/ROCK inhibition may prove useful for the treatment of angiogenesis-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad A Bryan
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
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