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Ceci C, Lacal PM, Barbaccia ML, Mercuri NB, Graziani G, Ledonne A. The VEGFs/VEGFRs system in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases: Pathophysiological roles and therapeutic implications. Pharmacol Res 2024; 201:107101. [PMID: 38336311 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their cognate receptors (VEGFRs), besides their well-known involvement in physiological angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis and in diseases associated to pathological vessel formation, play multifaceted functions in the central nervous system (CNS). In addition to shaping brain development, by controlling cerebral vasculogenesis and regulating neurogenesis as well as astrocyte differentiation, the VEGFs/VEGFRs axis exerts essential functions in the adult brain both in physiological and pathological contexts. In this article, after describing the physiological VEGFs/VEGFRs functions in the CNS, we focus on the VEGFs/VEGFRs involvement in neurodegenerative diseases by reviewing the current literature on the rather complex VEGFs/VEGFRs contribution to the pathogenic mechanisms of Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD) diseases. Thereafter, based on the outcome of VEGFs/VEGFRs targeting in animal models of AD and PD, we discuss the factual relevance of pharmacological VEGFs/VEGFRs modulation as a novel and potential disease-modifying approach for these neurodegenerative pathologies. Specific VEGFRs targeting, aimed at selective VEGFR-1 inhibition, while preserving VEGFR-2 signal transduction, appears as a promising strategy to hit the molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathology. Moreover, therapeutic VEGFs-based approaches can be proposed for PD treatment, with the aim of fine-tuning their brain levels to amplify neurotrophic/neuroprotective effects while limiting an excessive impact on vascular permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Ceci
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Luisa Barbaccia
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Biagio Mercuri
- Neurology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Rome, Italy; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Grazia Graziani
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ada Ledonne
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Department of Experimental Neuroscience, Rome, Italy; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
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2
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Di Stasi R, De Rosa L, D'Andrea LD. Structure-Based Design of Peptides Targeting VEGF/VEGFRs. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:851. [PMID: 37375798 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (VEGFRs) play a main role in the regulation of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Furthermore, they are implicated in the onset of several diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative eye conditions, tumor growth, ulcers and ischemia. Therefore, molecules able to target the VEGF and its receptors are of great pharmaceutical interest. Several types of molecules have been reported so far. In this review, we focus on the structure-based design of peptides mimicking VEGF/VEGFR binding epitopes. The binding interface of the complex has been dissected and the different regions challenged for peptide design. All these trials furnished a better understanding of the molecular recognition process and provide us with a wealth of molecules that could be optimized to be exploited for pharmaceutical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucia De Rosa
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, 80131 Napoli, Italy
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3
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Xu W, Wu Y, Lu H, Zhu Y, Ye J, Yang W. Sustained delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor mediated by bioactive methacrylic anhydride hydrogel accelerates peripheral nerve regeneration after crush injury. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:2064-2071. [PMID: 35142698 PMCID: PMC8848599 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.335166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophic factors, currently administered orally or by intravenous drip or intramuscular injection, are the main method for the treatment of peripheral nerve crush injury. However, the low effective drug concentration arriving at the injury site results in unsatisfactory outcomes. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a treatment method that can increase the effective drug concentration in the injured area. In this study, we first fabricated a gelatin modified by methacrylic anhydride hydrogel and loaded it with vascular endothelial growth factor that allowed the controlled release of the neurotrophic factor. This modified gelatin exhibited good physical and chemical properties, biocompatibility and supported the adhesion and proliferation of RSC96 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. When injected into the epineurium of crushed nerves, the composite hydrogel in the rat sciatic nerve crush injury model promoted nerve regeneration, functional recovery and vascularization. The results showed that the modified gelatin gave sustained delivery of vascular endothelial growth factors and accelerated the repair of crushed peripheral nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanlin Xu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; National Center for Stomatology; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; National Center for Stomatology; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Lu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; National Center for Stomatology; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Zhu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; National Center for Stomatology; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinhai Ye
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wenjun Yang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; National Center for Stomatology; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China
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4
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Hou Z, Wang L, Su D, Cai W, Zhu Y, Liu D, Huang S, Xu J, Pan Z, Tao J. Global MicroRNAs Expression Profile Analysis Reveals Possible Regulatory Mechanisms of Brain Injury Induced by Toxoplasma gondii Infection. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:827570. [PMID: 35360170 PMCID: PMC8961362 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.827570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular parasitic protozoan that can cause toxoplasmosis in humans and other endotherms. T. gondii can manipulate the host gene expression profile by interfering with miRNA expression, which is closely associated with the molecular mechanisms of T. gondii-induced brain injury. However, it is unclear how T. gondii manipulates the gene expression of central nervous system (CNS) cells through modulation of miRNA expression in vivo during acute and chronic infection. Therefore, high-throughput sequencing was used to investigate expression profiles of brain miRNAs at 10, 25, and 50 days post-infection (DPI) in pigs infected with the Chinese I genotype T. gondii strain in this study. Compared with the control group 87, 68, and 135 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified in the infected porcine brains at 10, 25, and 50 DPI, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that a large number significantly enriched GO terms and KEGG pathways were found, and were mostly associated with stimulus or immune response, signal transduction, cell death or apoptosis, metabolic processes, immune system or diseases, and cancers. miRNA–gene network analysis revealed that the crucial connecting nodes, including DEMs and their target genes, might have key roles in the interactions between porcine brain and T. gondii. These results suggest that the regulatory strategies of T. gondii are involved in the modulation of a variety of host cell signaling pathways and cellular processes, containing unfolded protein response (UPR), oxidative stress (OS), autophagy, apoptosis, tumorigenesis, and inflammatory responses, by interfering with the global miRNA expression profile of CNS cells, allowing parasites to persist in the host CNS cells and contribute to pathological damage of porcine brain. To our knowledge, this is the first report on miRNA expression profile in porcine brains during acute and chronic T. gondii infection in vivo. Our results provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying T. gondii-induced brain injury during different infection stages and novel targets for developing therapeutic agents against T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaofeng Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Lele Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dingzeyang Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Weimin Cai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dandan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Siyang Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jinjun Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhiming Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jianping Tao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jianping Tao,
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Mota F, Yelland T, Hutton JA, Parker J, Patsiarika A, Chan AWE, O'Leary A, Fotinou C, Martin JF, Zachary IC, Djordjevic S, Frankel P, Selwood DL. Peptides Derived from Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B Show Potent Binding to Neuropilin-1. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202100463. [PMID: 34647407 PMCID: PMC8776337 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) regulate significant pathways in angiogenesis, myocardial and neuronal protection, metabolism, and cancer progression. The VEGF-B growth factor is involved in cell survival, anti-apoptotic and antioxidant mechanisms, through binding to VEGF receptor 1 and neuropilin-1 (NRP1). We employed surface plasmon resonance technology and X-ray crystallography to analyse the molecular basis of the interaction between VEGF-B and the b1 domain of NRP1, and developed VEGF-B C-terminus derived peptides to be used as chemical tools for studying VEGF-B - NRP1 related pathways. Peptide lipidation was used as a means to stabilise the peptides. VEGF-B-derived peptides containing a C-terminal arginine show potent binding to NRP1-b1. Peptide lipidation increased binding residence time and improved plasma stability. A crystal structure of a peptide with NRP1 demonstrated that VEGF-B peptides bind at the canonical C-terminal arginine binding site. VEGF-B C-terminus imparts higher affinity for NRP1 than the corresponding VEGF-A165 region. This tight binding may impact on the activity and selectivity of the full-length protein. The VEGF-B167 derived peptides were more effective than VEGF-A165 peptides in blocking functional phosphorylation events. Blockers of VEGF-B function have potential applications in diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Mota
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical ResearchUniversity College LondonGower StreetLondonWC1E 6BTUK
| | - Tamas Yelland
- The Institute of Structural and Molecular BiologyUniversity College LondonUK
| | - Jennie A. Hutton
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical ResearchUniversity College LondonGower StreetLondonWC1E 6BTUK
| | - Jennifer Parker
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology & MedicineBHF Laboratories at University College LondonUK
| | - Anastasia Patsiarika
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical ResearchUniversity College LondonGower StreetLondonWC1E 6BTUK
| | - A. W. Edith Chan
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical ResearchUniversity College LondonGower StreetLondonWC1E 6BTUK
| | - Andrew O'Leary
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology & MedicineBHF Laboratories at University College LondonUK
| | - Constantina Fotinou
- The Institute of Structural and Molecular BiologyUniversity College LondonUK
| | - John F. Martin
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology & MedicineBHF Laboratories at University College LondonUK
| | - Ian C. Zachary
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology & MedicineBHF Laboratories at University College LondonUK
| | - Snezana Djordjevic
- The Institute of Structural and Molecular BiologyUniversity College LondonUK
| | - Paul Frankel
- Institute of Cardiovascular ScienceUniversity College LondonUK
| | - David L. Selwood
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical ResearchUniversity College LondonGower StreetLondonWC1E 6BTUK
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Tamáš M, Pankratova S, Schjerling P, Soendenbroe C, Yeung CC, Pennisi CP, Jakobsen JR, Krogsgaard MR, Kjaer M, Mackey AL. Mutual stimulatory signaling between human myogenic cells and rat cerebellar neurons. Physiol Rep 2021; 9:e15077. [PMID: 34713978 PMCID: PMC8554775 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Insight into the bidirectional signaling between primary human myogenic cells and neurons is lacking. For this purpose, human myogenic cells were derived from the semitendinosus and gracilis muscles of five healthy individuals and co-cultured with cerebellar granule neurons from two litters of 7-day-old Wistar rat pups, in muscle medium or neural medium, alongside monocultures of myogenic cells or neurons. RT-PCR was performed to determine human mRNA levels of GAPDH, Ki67, myogenin, and MUSK, and the acetylcholine receptor subtypes CHRNA1, CHRNB1, CHRNG, CHRND, and CHRNE, and rat mRNA levels of GAPDH, Fth1, Rack1, vimentin, Cdh13, and Ppp1r1a. Immunocytochemistry was used to evaluate neurite outgrowth (GAP43) in the presence and absence of myogenic cells. Co-culture with primary neurons lead to higher myogenic cell gene expression levels of GAPDH, myogenin, MUSK, CHRNA1, CHRNG, and CHRND, compared to myogenic cells cultured alone. It appeared that neurons preferentially attached to myotubes and that neurite outgrowth was enhanced when neurons were cultured with myogenic cells compared to monoculture. In neural medium, rat mRNA levels of GAPDH, vimentin, Cdh13, and Ppp1r1a were greater in co-culture, versus monoculture, whereas in muscle medium co-culture lead to lower levels of Fth1, Rack1, vimentin, and Cdh13 than monoculture. These findings demonstrate mutually beneficial stimulatory signaling between rat cerebellar granule neurons and human myogenic cells, providing support for an active role for both the neuron and the muscle cell in stimulating neurite growth and myogenesis. Bidirectional muscle nerve signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Tamáš
- Institute of Sports Medicine CopenhagenDepartment of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Healthy AgingDepartment of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Stanislava Pankratova
- Laboratory of Neural PlasticityDepartment of NeuroscienceUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Comparative Pediatrics and NutritionDepartment of Veterinary and Animal SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenFrederiksberg CDenmark
| | - Peter Schjerling
- Institute of Sports Medicine CopenhagenDepartment of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Healthy AgingDepartment of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Casper Soendenbroe
- Institute of Sports Medicine CopenhagenDepartment of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Healthy AgingDepartment of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- XlabDepartment of Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Ching‐Yan Chloé Yeung
- Institute of Sports Medicine CopenhagenDepartment of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Healthy AgingDepartment of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Cristian Pablo Pennisi
- Regenerative Medicine GroupDepartment of Health Science and TechnologyAalborg UniversityAalborgDenmark
| | - Jens R. Jakobsen
- Section for Sports Traumatology M51Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Michael R. Krogsgaard
- Section for Sports Traumatology M51Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Michael Kjaer
- Institute of Sports Medicine CopenhagenDepartment of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Healthy AgingDepartment of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Abigail L. Mackey
- Institute of Sports Medicine CopenhagenDepartment of Orthopaedic SurgeryCopenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
- Center for Healthy AgingDepartment of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- XlabDepartment of Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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Jia JD, Jiang WG, Luo X, Li RR, Zhao YC, Tian G, Li YN. Vascular endothelial growth factor B inhibits insulin secretion in MIN6 cells and reduces Ca 2+ and cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels through PI3K/AKT pathway. World J Diabetes 2021; 12:480-498. [PMID: 33889292 PMCID: PMC8040075 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v12.i4.480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by insufficient insulin secretion caused by defective pancreatic β-cell function or insulin resistance, resulting in an increase in blood glucose. However, the mechanism involved in this lack of insulin secretion is unclear. The level of vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B) is significantly increased in T2D patients. The inactivation of VEGF-B could restore insulin sensitivity in db/db mice by reducing fatty acid accumulation. It is speculated that VEGF-B is related to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and is an important factor affecting β-cell secretion of insulin. As an in vitro model of normal pancreatic β-cells, the MIN6 cell line can be used to analyze the mechanism of insulin secretion and related biological effects.
AIM To study the role of VEGF-B in the insulin secretion signaling pathway in MIN6 cells and explore the effect of VEGF-B on blood glucose regulation.
METHODS The MIN6 mouse pancreatic islet β-cell line was used as the model system. By administering exogenous VEGF-B protein or knocking down VEGF-B expression in MIN6 cells, we examined the effects of VEGF-B on insulin secretion, Ca2+ and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, and the insulin secretion signaling pathway.
RESULTS Exogenous VEGF-B inhibited the secretion of insulin and simultaneously reduced the levels of Ca2+ and cAMP in MIN6 cells. Exogenous VEGF-B also reduced the expression of phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCγ1), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), serine/threonine kinase (AKT), and other proteins in the insulin secretion pathway. Upon knockdown of VEGF-B, MIN6 cells exhibited increased insulin secretion and Ca2+ and cAMP levels and upregulated expression of PLCγ1, PI3K, AKT, and other proteins.
CONCLUSION VEGF-B can regulate insulin secretion by modulating the levels of Ca2+ and cAMP. VEGF-B involvement in insulin secretion is related to the expression of PLCγ1, PI3K, AKT, and other signaling proteins. These results provide theoretical support and an experimental basis for the study of VEGF-B in the pathogenesis of T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Dan Jia
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wen-Guo Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xu Luo
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Rong-Rong Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yu-Chi Zhao
- Department of Surgery, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai 264001, Shandong Province, China
| | - Geng Tian
- Department of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ya-Na Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, Shandong Province, China
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Hu L, Shan Z, Wang F, Gao X, Tong Y. Vascular endothelial growth factor B exerts lipid-lowering effect by activating AMPK via VEGFR1. Life Sci 2021; 276:119401. [PMID: 33785341 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
As an ambiguous member of vascular endothelial growth factor family, VEGF-B has long been poorly understood in its function. Recent researches showed VEGF-B isoforms exerted their metabolic effect through indirectly activating the VEGF-A/VEGFR2 pathway. Here, we report the lipid-lowing effect of VEGF-B via VEGFR1. We investigated the effect of VEGF-B on lipid metabolism in vivo and in vitro approaches. Treatment of mice with VEGF-B recombinant protein repressed HFD-induced body weight gain. This treatment also alleviated obesity associated hyperlipidemia and fatty liver disease. In the muscle and liver of VEGF-B-treated HFD mice were observed increased protein expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) and the phosphorylation of ACC and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This effect was confirmed in HepG2 cells incubated with VEFG-B in which the increased AMPK activation and CPT-1 expression occurs due to activation of Calcium/calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase β (CaMKKβ) by VEFG-B. VEGF-B increased expression of key genes responsible for lipid oxidation while reducing those for fatty acid synthesis in vivo and in vitro. In addition, the selective inhibitor of VEGFR1 blocked the lipid clearance effect of VEGF-B in HepG2. Our study unraveled unknown role of VEGF-B/VEGFR1 signaling in regulating lipid metabolism. Furthermore, our findings indicate that VEGF-B may have beneficial effects for the treatment of dyslipidemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhenzhen Shan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Simcere Pharmaceutical Company, China
| | - Xiangdong Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Yue Tong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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9
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Leyton-Jaimes MF, Ivert P, Hoeber J, Han Y, Feiler A, Zhou C, Pankratova S, Shoshan-Barmatz V, Israelson A, Kozlova EN. Empty mesoporous silica particles significantly delay disease progression and extend survival in a mouse model of ALS. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20675. [PMID: 33244084 PMCID: PMC7691331 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77578-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating incurable neurological disorder characterized by motor neuron (MN) death and muscle dysfunction leading to mean survival time after diagnosis of only 2-5 years. A potential ALS treatment is to delay the loss of MNs and disease progression by the delivery of trophic factors. Previously, we demonstrated that implanted mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSPs) loaded with trophic factor peptide mimetics support survival and induce differentiation of co-implanted embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived MNs. Here, we investigate whether MSP loaded with peptide mimetics of ciliary neurotrophic factor (Cintrofin), glial-derived neurotrophic factor (Gliafin), and vascular endothelial growth factor (Vefin1) injected into the cervical spinal cord of mutant SOD1 mice affect disease progression and extend survival. We also transplanted boundary cap neural crest stem cells (bNCSCs) which have been shown previously to have a positive effect on MN survival in vitro and in vivo. We show that mimetic-loaded MSPs and bNCSCs significantly delay disease progression and increase survival of mutant SOD1 mice, and also that empty particles significantly improve the condition of ALS mice. Our results suggest that intraspinal delivery of MSPs is a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel F Leyton-Jaimes
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Patrik Ivert
- Department of Neuroscience, Regenerative Neurobiology, Uppsala University Biomedical Center, Box 593, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Hoeber
- Department of Neuroscience, Regenerative Neurobiology, Uppsala University Biomedical Center, Box 593, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 815, 751 08, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yilin Han
- Department of Neuroscience, Regenerative Neurobiology, Uppsala University Biomedical Center, Box 593, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Adam Feiler
- Nanologica AB, Forskargatan 20G, 151 36, Södertälje, Sweden.,Chemistry Department, KTH, Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chunfang Zhou
- Chemistry Department, KTH, Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stanislava Pankratova
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity, Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Comparative Pediatrics and Nutrition, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Varda Shoshan-Barmatz
- Department of Life Sciences, The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev Ltd, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Adrian Israelson
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel.
| | - Elena N Kozlova
- Department of Neuroscience, Regenerative Neurobiology, Uppsala University Biomedical Center, Box 593, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden.
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