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Majid QA, Ghimire BR, Merkely B, Randi AM, Harding SE, Talman V, Földes G. Generation and characterisation of scalable and stable human pluripotent stem cell-derived microvascular-like endothelial cells for cardiac applications. Angiogenesis 2024; 27:561-582. [PMID: 38775849 PMCID: PMC11303486 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-024-09929-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Coronary microvascular disease (CMD) and its progression towards major adverse coronary events pose a significant health challenge. Accurate in vitro investigation of CMD requires a robust cell model that faithfully represents the cells within the cardiac microvasculature. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (hPSC-ECs) offer great potential; however, they are traditionally derived via differentiation protocols that are not readily scalable and are not specified towards the microvasculature. Here, we report the development and comprehensive characterisation of a scalable 3D protocol enabling the generation of phenotypically stable cardiac hPSC-microvascular-like ECs (hPSC-CMVECs) and cardiac pericyte-like cells. These were derived by growing vascular organoids within 3D stirred tank bioreactors and subjecting the emerging 3D hPSC-ECs to high-concentration VEGF-A treatment (3DV). Not only did this promote phenotypic stability of the 3DV hPSC-ECs; single cell-RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) revealed the pronounced expression of cardiac endothelial- and microvascular-associated genes. Further, the generated mural cells attained from the vascular organoid exhibited markers characteristic of cardiac pericytes. Thus, we present a suitable cell model for investigating the cardiac microvasculature as well as the endothelial-dependent and -independent mechanisms of CMD. Moreover, owing to their phenotypic stability, cardiac specificity, and high angiogenic potential, the cells described within would also be well suited for cardiac tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qasim A Majid
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Drug Research Programme, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bishwa R Ghimire
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Bela Merkely
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, H1122, Hungary
| | - Anna M Randi
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Sian E Harding
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Virpi Talman
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Drug Research Programme, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gábor Földes
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, H1122, Hungary.
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Koukorava C, Ahmed K, Almaghrabi S, Pointon A, Haddrick M, Cross MJ. Anticancer drugs and cardiotoxicity: the role of cardiomyocyte and non-cardiomyocyte cells. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1372817. [PMID: 39081368 PMCID: PMC11287221 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1372817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiotoxicity can be defined as "chemically induced heart disease", which can occur with many different drug classes treating a range of diseases. It is the primary cause of drug attrition during pre-clinical development and withdrawal from the market. Drug induced cardiovascular toxicity can result from both functional effects with alteration of the contractile and electrical regulation in the heart and structural changes with morphological changes to cardiomyocytes and other cardiac cells. These adverse effects result in conditions such as arrhythmia or a more serious reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which can lead to heart failure and death. Anticancer drugs can adversely affect cardiomyocyte function as well as cardiac fibroblasts and cardiac endothelial cells, interfering in autocrine and paracrine signalling between these cell types and ultimately altering cardiac cellular homeostasis. This review aims to highlight potential toxicity mechanisms involving cardiomyocytes and non-cardiomyocyte cells by first introducing the physiological roles of these cells within the myocardium and secondly, identifying the physiological pathways perturbed by anticancer drugs in these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysa Koukorava
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Katie Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Shrouq Almaghrabi
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Pointon
- Safety Sciences, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michael J. Cross
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Mohammed KAK, Madeddu P, Avolio E. MEK inhibitors: a promising targeted therapy for cardiovascular disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1404253. [PMID: 39011492 PMCID: PMC11247000 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1404253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents the leading cause of mortality and disability all over the world. Identifying new targeted therapeutic approaches has become a priority of biomedical research to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. The RAS-RAF-MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase)-ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) pathway is gaining growing interest as a potential signaling cascade implicated in the pathogenesis of CVD. This pathway is pivotal in regulating cellular processes like proliferation, growth, migration, differentiation, and survival, which are vital in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis. In addition, ERK signaling is involved in controlling angiogenesis, vascular tone, myocardial contractility, and oxidative stress. Dysregulation of this signaling cascade has been linked to cell dysfunction and vascular and cardiac pathological remodeling, which contribute to the onset and progression of CVD. Recent and ongoing research has provided insights into potential therapeutic interventions targeting the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway to improve cardiovascular pathologies. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of targeted therapy with MEK inhibitors (MEKI) in attenuating ERK activation and mitigating CVD progression in animal models. In this article, we first describe how ERK signaling contributes to preserving cardiovascular health. We then summarize current knowledge of the roles played by ERK in the development and progression of cardiac and vascular disorders, including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, and aortic aneurysm. We finally report novel therapeutic strategies for these CVDs encompassing MEKI and discuss advantages, challenges, and future developments for MEKI therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled A K Mohammed
- Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Paolo Madeddu
- Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Elisa Avolio
- Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Troise D, Infante B, Mercuri S, Piccoli C, Lindholm B, Stallone G. Hypoxic Inducible Factor Stabilization in Pericytes beyond Erythropoietin Production: The Good and the Bad. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:537. [PMID: 38790642 PMCID: PMC11118908 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13050537] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The paracrine signaling pathways for the crosstalk between pericytes and endothelial cells are essential for the coordination of cell responses to challenges such as hypoxia in both healthy individuals and pathological conditions. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), one of the causes of cellular dysfunction and death, is associated with increased expression of genes involved in cellular adaptation to a hypoxic environment. Hypoxic inducible factors (HIFs) have a central role in the response to processes initiated by IRI not only linked to erythropoietin production but also because of their participation in inflammation, angiogenesis, metabolic adaptation, and fibrosis. While pericytes have an essential physiological function in erythropoietin production, a lesser-known role of HIF stabilization during IRI is that pericytes' HIF expression could influence vascular remodeling, cell loss and organ fibrosis. Better knowledge of mechanisms that control functions and consequences of HIF stabilization in pericytes beyond erythropoietin production is advisable for the development of therapeutic strategies to influence disease progression and improve treatments. Thus, in this review, we discuss the dual roles-for good or bad-of HIF stabilization during IRI, focusing on pericytes, and consequences in particular for the kidneys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Troise
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Advanced Research Center on Kidney Aging (A.R.K.A.), Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
- Renal Medicine and Baxter Novum, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Barbara Infante
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Advanced Research Center on Kidney Aging (A.R.K.A.), Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Silvia Mercuri
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Advanced Research Center on Kidney Aging (A.R.K.A.), Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Claudia Piccoli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Bengt Lindholm
- Renal Medicine and Baxter Novum, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Giovanni Stallone
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Advanced Research Center on Kidney Aging (A.R.K.A.), Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
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Li X, Fang S, Wang S, Xie Y, Xia Y, Wang P, Hao Z, Xu S, Zhang Y. Hypoxia preconditioning of adipose stem cell-derived exosomes loaded in gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) promote type H angiogenesis and osteoporotic fracture repair. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:112. [PMID: 38491475 PMCID: PMC10943905 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02342-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The challenges posed by delayed atrophic healing and nonunion stand as formidable obstacles in osteoporotic fracture treatment. The processes of type H angiogenesis and osteogenesis emerge as pivotal mechanisms during bone regeneration. Notably, the preconditioning of adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) exosomes under hypoxic conditions has garnered attention for its potential to augment the secretion and functionality of these exosomes. In the present investigation, we embarked upon a comprehensive elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of hypo-ADSC-Exos within the milieu of osteoporotic bone regeneration. Our findings revealed that hypo-ADSC-Exos harboured a preeminent miRNA, namely, miR-21-5p, which emerged as the principal orchestrator of angiogenic effects. Through in vitro experiments, we demonstrated the capacity of hypo-ADSC-Exos to stimulate the proliferation, migration, and angiogenic potential of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) via the mediation of miR-21-5p. The inhibition of miR-21-5p effectively attenuated the proangiogenic effects mediated by hypo-ADSC-Exos. Mechanistically, our investigation revealed that exosomal miR-21-5p emanating from hypo-ADSCs exerts its regulatory influence by targeting sprouly1 (SPRY1) within HUVECs, thereby facilitating the activation of the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. Notably, knockdown of SPRY1 in HUVECs was found to potentiate PI3K/AKT activation and, concomitantly, HUVEC proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. The culminating stage of our study involved a compelling in vivo demonstration wherein GelMA loaded with hypo-ADSC-Exos was validated to substantially enhance local type H angiogenesis and concomitant bone regeneration. This enhancement was unequivocally attributed to the exosomal modulation of SPRY1. In summary, our investigation offers a pioneering perspective on the potential utility of hypo-ADSC-Exos as readily available for osteoporotic fracture treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqun Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuo Fang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaohai Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Xie
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Xia
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Panfeng Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zichen Hao
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuogui Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yuntong Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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Picoli CDC, Birbrair A, Li Z. Pericytes as the Orchestrators of Vasculature and Adipogenesis. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:126. [PMID: 38275607 PMCID: PMC10815550 DOI: 10.3390/genes15010126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Pericytes (PCs) are located surrounding the walls of small blood vessels, particularly capillaries and microvessels. In addition to their functions in maintaining vascular integrity, participating in angiogenesis, and regulating blood flow, PCs also serve as a reservoir for multi-potent stem/progenitor cells in white, brown, beige, and bone marrow adipose tissues. Due to the complex nature of this cell population, the identification and characterization of PCs has been challenging. A comprehensive understanding of the heterogeneity of PCs may enhance their potential as therapeutic targets for metabolic syndromes or bone-related diseases. This mini-review summarizes multiple PC markers commonly employed in lineage-tracing studies, with an emphasis on their contribution to adipogenesis and functions in different adipose depots under diverse metabolic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander Birbrair
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Medical Sciences Center, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
| | - Ziru Li
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA;
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